Available open access digitally under CC BY NC ND licence.

This timely book assesses the work of the 20 violence reduction units in England and Wales (VRUs) and analyses their impact in preventing youth violence. Based primarily on data from the ESRC-funded project, Public Health, Youth and Violence Reduction, the book draws on interviews with all 20 Directors of the VRUs and other organisations, and analyses the roles of the police, communities and young people in violence prevention.

The book explains the public health model approach, highlighting the most significant and effective work to date. It makes clear recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and researchers working towards safer and better societies for children and young people to grow up in.