10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIOLENCE REDUCTION UNIT

Early day motion 628, tabled 29 October 2015 by Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party). Signed by 25 members.

That this House congratulates the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) on its 10th anniversary; notes the foundation of the VRU in 2005 by Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan and Strathclyde Police principal analyst Karyn McCluskey and its innovative use of a public health approach to tackle violence; recognises the groundbreaking partnerships carried out by the VRU over the last decade, including working with dentists, hairdressers, vets and others to identify domestic abuse; further notes groundbreaking projects such as Mentors in Violence Prevention and Medics against Violence; notes the work the VRU has carried out amongst gangs in Glasgow promoting positive alternatives, based on work in Boston in the US in the 1990s; recognises its success in helping bring crime to a 40-year low in Scotland; wishes the VRU continued success over the next decade; and supports the principle that violence is preventable, not inevitable.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 24, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.