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<p>On 9 April 2018, the Government published the Serious Violence Strategy to set
out the action it is taking to address serious violence and in particular the recent
increases in knife crime, gun crime and homicide. The Strategy is taking a multi-strand
approach. Law enforcement is very important, but it also depends on partnerships across
a number of sectors, such as education, health, social services, housing, youth services,
victim services and others.</p><p>We have reviewed the evidence and the strategy sets
out the trends and drivers of serious violence. The evidence shows that while overall
crime continues to fall, homicide, knife crime and gun crime have increased since
2014 across virtually all police force areas in England and Wales. Robbery has also
risen sharply since 2016. The increases have been accompanied by a shift towards younger
victims and perpetrators. About half the rise in knife/gun crime and robbery is probably
due to improvements in police recording. However, for the remainder, drug-related
cases seem to be an important driver. Between 2014/15 and 2016/17, homicides where
either the victim or suspect were known to be involved in using or dealing illicit
drugs increased from 50% to 57%</p><p>The analysis in the Serious Violence Strategy
shows that changes in the drugs market is a major factor in the recent increases as:
Crack-cocaine markets have strong links to serious violence and evidence suggests
crack use is rising in England and Wales; County lines drugs dealing is also associated
with violence and exploitation and its spread is also a key factor; It is also thought
that drugs-market violence may be facilitated and spread by social media, which is
used to glamorise gang or drug-selling life, taunt rivals and normalise weapons carrying;
and there is an increase in the number of individuals who are most vulnerable.</p><p>Our
analysis also looks at the evidence of the key risk factors which may mean a young
person may have a greater propensity to get involved in crime than would otherwise
be the case. It also sets out the evidence supporting the importance of early intervention
with young people and encouraging positive activities to engage them in and build
links with their community.</p>
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