Young writer Jessica Tunks picked up a senior 2020 Orwell Youth Prize for her essay Knifepoint this year. In the piece Jessica looks into some of the possible causes of violent crime among young people in her area and what she believes can be done to prevent it. Discussing both the causes and solutions to …
The driving force behind One Community Scotland has been awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Khadija Coll, who manages the charity has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition for her gender rights campaigning and tireless work supporting ‘New Scots’. The honours are usually announced in …
2020 hasn’t been the best of years. There aren’t too many silver-linings to a global pandemic, but what has been encouraging to see is the renewed appreciation for public health. ‘Viral load’ and ‘R numbers’ have become part of everyday dinner table conversation as people learn more about the life-saving science striving to keep them, …
Commenting on the latest ‘Recorded Crime in Scotland 2019 – 20’ figures, Will Linden, the Deputy Director of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Scotland has made real progress in reducing the violence infecting our communities with a 42% reduction in non-sexual crimes of violence since 2002-03. These latest figures show further progress with a …
RECORDED CRIME IN SCOTLAND 2019-20 STATEMENT – SVRU Read More »
We have been speaking with BBC One’s Panorama programme about how Scotland cut violent crime. I want to take this opportunity to underline that the advances Scotland has made in respect of our violence journey has involved numerous agencies. We need to offer thanks and recognition to all the partners and individuals who have been …
BBC One’s Panorama – How Scotland Cut Violent Crime Read More »
In this podcast SVRU Project Manager Kirsty Giles speaks with Jen Douglas from UK Charity SafeLives about safety planning and how to get help if you or someone you know needs it. Anyone experiencing domestic violence including coercive or controlling behaviors, should not feel they need to wait for support. Please remember you are not …
The first question I asked myself when writing this is why do young people become involved in violence and in carrying weapons? Violence is a symptom, which from a personal perspective is driven by fear. Fear takes many forms – fear of being a victim, fear of losing face in-front of peers, fear of going …
Behind the Violence: By Callum Hutchison, Street & Arrow Mentor Read More »
As the words “Stay home, Stay safe, Save lives” are spoken throughout the country, it is important to remember that for some home may not represent a safe space and that the isolation of lockdown may in fact be life threatening. At the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit we recognise that those who are vulnerable in …
The arrival of COVID-19 has had an impact on all of our lives. Routines have been disrupted and, for some, employment and financial concerns have been added. We also recognise that for a fair proportion of our society the continued struggle to place food on the table and keep ourselves warm has been made all …
COVID-19 Impact on Violence Reduction: By Niven Rennie Read More »
Even though we’re ‘socially distancing’ due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the SVRU family are keen to stay ‘emotionally connected’ with our communities. This in mind we’d like to share some information on how we can start to understand, as a community, what we are all facing whilst remembering the wise words of Mother Theresa; …
Understanding Our Anger: By Kirsty Giles and Scott McEwen Read More »
Telephone: 01786 896785 Email: violence.reduction@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Niven has more than 30 years of operational policing experience in the United Kingdom. He joined Strathclyde Police in 1985 serving throughout the west of Scotland in a variety of ranks and positions before progressing to the rank of Chief Superintendent. Niven previously held the role of President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents where he represented the interests of the operational leaders of policing in Scotland.
On leaving Police Scotland in 2016 Niven took up the position of Chief Executive Officer of South Ayrshire Escape from Homelessness (SeAscape).
Niven was appointed director of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in July 2018.
