West Yorkshire's top priorities for
tackling serious violence have been
revealed ahead of the publication of a strategy co-designed
with and for the region's communities.
Five thousand responses to a public
consultation saw key themes of tackling knife
crime, the impact of gangs and organised
crime, and reducing violence against women
and girls.
Young people said that visible policing, support from community
hubs and access to outdoor spaces were important to
their feelings of safety.
“Communities can help
reduce serious violence, we can use leaders and
positive role models to support families.”
Others surveyed highlighted education and
early intervention, tackling gang
culture, knives and online harms.
"As a parent I need information so I can help educate my
kids, so they are safe and don't get pulled into gang
activity.”
It follows an election pledge from Mayor of West Yorkshire
to co-produce a
dedicated strategy with communities, with
a people's plan due to be launched later this
year.
The Mayor's recent Police and Crime Plan has
already put a spotlight
on serious violence with action being delivered.
- In 2025 knife crime involving under 25s was down 16% compared
to the previous year, while robberies with a
knife were down 18% over the same period.
- In January, Mayor launched her People's
Fund, with up to £100,000 made available in each of
the five districts for local groups and
organisations to deliver projects working to
tackle serious violence.
- The Violence Reduction Partnership has supported
more than 8,000 young people under 24 and almost 500 adults since
April 2025.
- The Mayor's Women's Safety
Unit is contributing towards better
outcomes for victims in West Yorkshire, such as
significant rises in Clare's Law requests and use of
Domestic Violence Protection Notices and
Orders.
- High profile campaigns ‘Just
Don't' and ‘I Took a
Seat' continue to reach new
audiences.
, Mayor of West Yorkshire,
said: “I know how important tackling the scourge
of serious violence is to our
local communities, and they have told
us exactly where they want us to focus.
“By working together, we can build upon our
achievements, from reducing knife crime to making West Yorkshire
safer for women and girls.
“This is a combined effort, but by listening to the needs of
local residents, we can create a safer, fairer West
Yorkshire for everyone.”
Meanwhile projects being delivered through money seized from
criminals under the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund
continue to make a difference across the region. They
include:
- OnTrak Community Initiative is providing
information and education to address knife crime, criminal
exploitation, grooming, drugs awareness and challenging
anti-social behaviour, while teaching young people bike
maintenance in Bradford, Calderdale and
Leeds.
- Talk your Walk run by Wake Youth Intervention
programme in Wakefield aimed at young people who are at risk
of anti-social behaviour, violence, and criminal
exploitation, is creating safe inclusive spaces where
they can explore identity, emotional wellbeing and
aspirations.
- Yorkshire Wellbeing Skills Group runs Breaking
Silence in Kirklees, creating a safe supportive
environment where black and minority ethnic women and girls
affected by domestic abuse and
honour-based violence can come together, share lived
experiences, support one another and raise awareness to help
prevent future harm.
Alison Lowe OBE, West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor
for Policing and
Crime, said: “Serious Violence has terrible
consequences that often spread far and wide.
“That's why we've placed such an emphasis on early
intervention and prevention, working with our communities on
solutions that reflect their experiences.”
