Plans to create a new body which will tackle violence in Croydon by treating the causes of crime through a public health approach will be voted on next week.

The Council's proposed Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will approach violence like any other health issue that causes disease or physical harm, combatting it by treating its root causes.

In practice this means intervening at critical moments in a young person's life, providing support and guidance to prevent them being drawn into a lifestyle associated with violence.

Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities, said: “Working together with communities we’ve started to see a reduction in serious youth violence.

"However, we know from the recent loss of life in London, that we need to work harder to make further reductions.

“We’re encouraged that our approach to tackling serious youth violence was recognised as an example of good practice at the mayor’s Knife Crime Summit by the police and London councils.

“We are working closely with the Mayor of London and his deputy Sophie Linden to share our experience as his team moves forward with plans for the pan-London VRU.”

The new strategy is in line with that adopted by Glasgow, where homicide figures dropping dramatically following a change in policy.

Over a 10-year period from 2008-09 to 2017-18, the number of homicide cases in Scotland fell by 39% (38 cases) from 97 to 59. Glasgow City accounted for over one third (34%) of this decrease.

The public health approach advocates treating crime as a public health issue, focusing on prevention rather than cure.

Croydon’s VRU will treat each serious violent crime personally, taking the view that each offence stems from a wide range of issues, from inequality and poverty, to the vulnerability of young people and families with complex needs.

The VRU will initially include the FJC anti-domestic abuse service, CCTV, the antisocial behaviour team and the Prevent team, which works to safeguard residents from the risk of radicalisation.

Moving forward these council teams will work with other partners across the health system, the criminal justice system and voluntary sector, to tackle the root causes of serious violence

The proposals will be considered for approval by the council’s cabinet on Monday November 19.

Croydon’s plans will build on its recent successes in crime reduction. In the last 12 months it has been one of the only boroughs in London to see decrease in knife crime.