- Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl has ordered an in-depth study into the causes behind the recent upsurge in violence
- The results will be fed into a conference involving representatives of all sectors of the community
- “It is too simplistic to say that recent levels of violence are due to drugs and knives. If more people are carrying knives, we need to know why”, said Mr. Surl
- The process will be led by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) Chris Brierley and overseen by independent public policy analysts Cityforum
Criminology students from the University of Gloucestershire will be invited to take part in a comprehensive research programme into the recent series of knife related incidents in Gloucester.
Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl has ordered an in-depth study into the causes behind the upsurge in violence which may be due to a number of factors including drug abuse.
Their results will be fed into a conference involving representatives from local communities, police, health and education practitioners, the courts and criminal justice system, voluntary organisations, academics and business.
Mr Surl said “It is too simplistic to say that recent levels of violence are due to drugs and knives. We need to find out if it really is the case that more people are carrying knives, and if so what can be done to stop it.
“It could be just a trend; it could be cultural. Both opinions have been expressed. But I would like a more thoughtful investigation taking-in as broad a range of opinions and experience as possible in the hope we can get to the heart of the problem and find a lasting solution”.
The process will be led by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) Chris Brierley and overseen by independent public policy analysts Cityforum.
Interviews will take place over the next few weeks leading to a seminar chaired by the DPCC with Cityforum reporting back in the New Year.
Cityforum’s Managing Director Veronica Scott said, “We are independent analysts who have undertaken practical and rigorous studies for a number of police forces and PCCs. We look forward to working on this project and to producing an intellectually honest report that will be helpful to the PCC and Gloucestershire Police.
“Our research will include talking with a wide range of individuals from public and private sector bodies, as well victims, or their families, and offenders. In doing so, we aim to generate some fresh thinking and new ideas as to how best to tackle the issues we uncover”.
Dr Louise Livesey, course leader for the University of Gloucestershire’s Postgraduate Criminology courses said: “This is exactly the sort of work we want our students to be involved in.
“It’s hugely important to us that our students are involved in real life research around issues of crime and victims. This will enable our students to showcase their abilities whilst making a positive difference in the local area”.
