London’s Violence Reduction Unit reaches one million residents
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The mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) reached one million Londoners with its programs, including 750,000 young people and 250,000 parents, youth workers, and professionals.
Lord Khan established the unit in 2019 to address youth crime through prevention, early intervention, and diversion, believing that policing alone could not solve the problem. Since the VRU’s creation, hospital admissions for knife assaults on young people in London decreased by 54 percent, according to data from the National Health Service.
Homicide rates among teenagers and young adults also declined between 2019 and 2025, falling 68 percent for those aged 13 to 19 and 61 percent for those aged 13 to 24. However, these declines were not consistent each year, as 2021 saw a record 30 teenage homicides in London. So far in 2026, nine teenagers have been victims of homicide, compared to eight in 2025 and 25 in 2019.
Lib Peck, director of the VRU, stated the unit supports young people when they face crises or vulnerability. Khan asked the national government to provide long-term financial support for the VRU, instead of the current annual funding of approximately £10 million. The Home Office responded that it has invested over £66 million in Violence Reduction Units and Serious Violence Duty Partnerships this year, but decisions for future funding remain pending.
