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Reviews of homicides and violent incidents

Published January 2020

This report summarises findings from research commissioned by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) with the aim of mapping and understanding violence in London.

The report finds that there is great potential for the quality of learning from homicides and other violent incidents in London, particularly incidents of youth violence, to improve.

However, the current quality of learning from statutory reviews is insufficient.

Commissioned by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), SCIE has produced this thematic review of homicides across London, in order to establish key causation factors and common patterns. It will also help to bring forward recommendations for the VRU and partners to consider in developing a longer-term approach to violence reduction in the capital.

The VRU was established by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan in September 2018. It brings together specialists from health, police, local government, probation and community organisations to tackle violent crime and its underlying causes.

The report is to sit alongside a Strategic Needs Assessment, conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT).

It is important that both reports are read together, as the SCIE report is a deep dive into specific case reviews and the BIT report provides a holistic assessment of violence in London. The two reports combined provide a map of violence in London, thus providing an opportunity for developing an informed preventative approach to addressing violent crime in London.

At SCIE we have a long history of whole system approach to safeguarding reviews. This research demonstrates that statutory reviews following homicides or serious injury are really valuable. It also highlights important new insights gained when learning across sectors are put together.

Find out about SCIE consultancy, reviews and audits on our dedicated page.