Violence Reduction Unit
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was established by Strathclyde Police in 2005 to work closely together with partner agencies in education, health and social work. The aim of the unit, which has since 2006 become Scotland-wide in its remit, is to target all forms of violent behaviour. The VRU approaches violence in terms of public health. Today, Scotland is the only country in the world which has adopted such an approach and the VRU are the only police members of the World Health Organization’s Violence Prevention Alliance. To achieve long-term violence reduction the VRU believes it is necessary to address societal and attitudinal aspects, and that closer links with health, education and parenting are needed to change behaviour. The VRU targets ‘violence in all its forms – from violence on the streets and domestic abuse to bullying in schools and the workplace’. A key part of its work is developing early years’ initiatives that support parents and those involved in teaching young children.