Scottish Violence Reduction Unit

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Scottish Violence Reduction Unit

The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit is a national centre of expertise on violence. We believe violence is preventable - not inevitable.

26/08/2026

📺 SVRU Deputy Head Will Linden appears on STV's Scotland Tonight:

On yesterday's STV Scotland Tonight programme (Tuesday August 25), SVRU Deputy Head Will Linden spoke to presenter Ewan Petrie about the recent crime statistics. Where the numbers suggest a cause for concern, the reality is that violence overall is lower than it has been in recent decades. Real progress has been made to make Scotland a safer place for everyone.

Will's message was clear when it comes to what is needed to support violence prevention "We need to invest in our communities"

Watch the full programme on STV Player 🔗 https://orlo.uk/N6vSn

24/08/2026

One week ago, the 'Everyone Has A Story' project launched at the Glasgow City Chambers 🌟

'Everyone Has A Story' is a creative engagement project developed by a group of young people supported by the Good Shepherd Centre. The project was delivered by Police Scotland's Youth Engagement team, in partnership with Braw Talent and funded by the Binks Hub.

Working with creative partners at Braw Talent and Police Scotland’s Youth Engagement team over several months, a group of young people supported by the Good Shepherd Centre reviewed previous violence prevention materials – including campaigns, videos and posters – and also examined how violence involving young people is portrayed in the media. This resulted in the creation of the 'Everyone Has A Story' films, which is separated into two parts 🎞️

'Part 1', which is aimed at adults, offers insight into what young people are facing through spoken word with accompanying posters they designed using screen-printing techniques and Photoshop 🖌️

Find out more about the 'Everyone Has A Story' project on our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/Mpy4S

21/08/2026

"We can hold these two truths at the same time: we can grieve for every life lost while recognising the progress that has been made."

In our recent blog, SVRU Head Jimmy Paul reflects on Police Scotland's Violence Prevention Week and how highlighting prevention reminds us that we can acknowledge how far we have come, whilst accepting the reality of violence and it's tragic consequences.

Violence Prevention Week, which ran between 10-16 August, is an opportunity to highlight the work being done in the violence prevention space - particularly focusing on children and young people. The week gave us an opportunity to highlight our collaborative projects across Scotland and the people that have helped make safer environments for young people.

Read the full blog on our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/X7Irc

20/08/2026

Nearly a month ago, we launched The Way We See It report which was developed with the purpose of better understanding how violence impacts children and young people across Scotland 🗣️

This project, which was created in collaboration with Police Scotland's Youth Engagement Team, engaged with over 600 children and young people across primary and secondary schools, youth groups and care settings 🎒

We heard from Cat, Caitlin and Robert who all helped contribute to the development of the project through the use of data analysis, producing workshop materials and delivery 🤝

Find out more about The Way We See It project on our website 🔗 https://www.svru.co.uk/thewayweseeit/

17/08/2026

"Everyone Has A Story" premieres today at the Glasgow City Chambers 📣

'Everyone Has A Story' is a creative engagement project developed by a group of young people supported by the Good Shepherd Centre. The project was delivered by Police Scotland's Youth Engagement team, in partnership with Braw Talent and funded by the Binks Hub.

Working with creative partners at Braw Talent and Police Scotland’s Youth Engagement team over several months, a group of young people supported by the Good Shepherd Centre reviewed previous violence prevention materials – including campaigns, videos and posters – and also examined how violence involving young people is portrayed in the media.

They felt there was an absence of resources that put those with lived experience at the centre and wanted to provide an honest reflection of the consequences, realities and impacts of violence through making two films under the title ‘Everyone Has A Story’.

Part 1 of 'Everyone Has A Story', which is aimed at adults, offers insight into what young people are facing through spoken word with accompanying posters they designed using screen-printing techniques and Photoshop.

Part 2, which is aimed at children and young people, was produced to help them understand the impact violence could have on their future. The production of these films was further supported by Youth Justice Voices – a group of young people with care and justice experience – who helped with filming and acting to bring experiences to life.

Today (Monday 17 August) the results of the project were shared with professionals who work with young people to inform future approaches to shaping violence prevention. The event was supported by 11 speakers, who all played a key role in bringing the project to life.

The films and posters can be viewed on our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/67JiD

13/08/2026

“Young people have led the way in the reduction in violence in Scotland. That’s something we should be proud of.”

As part of Violence Prevention Week, our head of unit Jimmy Paul shares his thoughts on the importance of challenging common narratives around young people and violence.

12/08/2026

👏 The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit is taking part in Violence Prevention Week!

In collaboration with Police Scotland, Violence Prevention Week (10-16 August) will highlight the important work being done in the violence prevention space, with a particular focus on children and young people.

Here at the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), our vision to create a safer Scotland includes making sure young people have the best start in life 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

As part of Violence Prevention Week, we wanted to share some of the collaborative projects that we help co-deliver as part of our on-going mission to support children and young people across Scotland ⤵️

▶️ The Way We See It (Scotland-wide) 🔗 https://orlo.uk/cIxex

▶️ Spark Counselling (North Lanarkshire)

Find out more about the work that we do by visiting our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/t1o7Y

11/08/2026

👏 The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit is taking part in Violence Prevention Week!

In collaboration with Police Scotland, Violence Prevention Week (10-16 August) will highlight the important work being done in the violence prevention space, with a particular focus on children and young people.

Here at the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), our vision to create a safer Scotland includes making sure young people have the best start in life 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

As part of Violence Prevention Week, we wanted to share some of the collaborative projects that we help co-deliver as part of our on-going mission to support children and young people across Scotland ⤵️

▶️ Craigmillar Community Library Garden (Edinburgh)

▶️ Castlebrae Youth Mentors (Edinburgh)

Find out more about the work that we do by visiting our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/qYv50

10/08/2026

👏 The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit is taking part in Violence Prevention Week!

In collaboration with Police Scotland, Violence Prevention Week (10-16 August) will highlight the important work being done in the violence prevention space, with a particular focus on children and young people.

Here at the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), our vision to create a safer Scotland includes making sure young people have the best start in life 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

As part of Violence Prevention Week, we wanted to share some of the collaborative projects that we help co-deliver as part of our on-going mission to support children and young people across Scotland ⤵️

▶️ Community Trade Hub (Fife) 🔗 https://orlo.uk/3AX7x

▶️ Clued Up (Fife) 🔗 https://orlo.uk/5FOif

Find out more about the work that we do by visiting our website 🔗 https://orlo.uk/Erk1d

24/07/2026

Street football is continuing this weekend in Carbrain, taking place tomorrow (Saturday 25th) at 6.30pm-8.30pm ⏰️

Tomorrow's session will take place at St Margaret's Muga football pitch, near Wallbrae Road 📍

These sessions are free to attend and open to any young person who would like to take part ⚽️

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http://www.svru.co.uk/

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