Barking and Dagenham Council has hosted London’s first tri-borough Serious Violence Summit, bringing together key partners and local communities to jointly tackle the complex root causes of violent crime.
Almost 240 people attended the Serious Violence Summit, which took place on Wednesday 16 January in London East, Dagenham, in partnership with Havering and Redbridge councils.
Amidst an increase in levels of violent crime across the capital, the Summit started an honest conversation about the causes of violent crime and the solutions that are needed with key partners including:
- Sophie Linden, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Metropolitan Police
- NHS and Court staff
- Lead organisations including the Ben Kinsella Trust
- Head teachers and schools
- Local community and faith organisations
Information, resources and best practice ideas were shared throughout the Summit, which heard first-hand how best to tackle the root causes of serious violence within communities.
“I am passionate and determined to work with our partners to make a real difference to all our families.”
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Barking and Dagenham Council Leader, is committed to tackling the issue: “Serious violence affects more than the victims and even though I recognise that it’s a London wide problem, I am passionate and determined to work with all our partners to make a real difference to all our families,” he said
“This is just the start of our work, it won’t stop serious crime like knife crime overnight, but it’s part of our commitment to bring in solutions to help prevent future violence.”
Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “Tackling serious violence is one of the biggest priorities for Barking and Dagenham, but it’s not a challenge we face alone. Our Serious Violence Summit is the start of an open dialogue to understand why people get caught up in violence and to agree the work we all collectively need to do to help steer people away from violent crime.
“Going forward, we’re determined to provide support for people to prevent future violence from occurring.”
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Integration, added: “For this to really work, people need to be involved at all levels. We have started to carefully look at underlying causes to understand what lies behind violence and to agree the support we need to provide to people at crucial moments in their lives.
“One part of this work will include the establishment of a Commission which will tackle cultural aspects that may have helped to normalise domestic violence in some parts of Barking and Dagenham.”
Following the first tri-borough Serious Violence Summit at Barking & Dagenham, plans are being developed to host further Summits across the tri-borough.