Cardiff celebrates 20 years of violence reduction

From London to Australia, a novel crime prevention model, first piloted in Cardiff, is being replicated around the world as it celebrates its 20^th anniversary.

Based on data sharing between hospitals, police and local authorities, the Cardiff Model has seen a significant reduction in violent crime in the Cardiff area over the last 20 years. It was pioneered by Professor Jonathan Shepherd, Director of Cardiff University’s Violence Research Group, after he discovered that three-quarters of incidents which result in hospital emergency department (ED) treatment are not known to police.

Professor Shepherd said: “There were people on my operating table every week, injured by someone who was never brought to book. It was a real shock to discover that large numbers of violent offences were not known to the police.”

He added: “The Cardiff Model has made a real difference in Cardiff. A&E data shows a 60 percent drop in violence-related A&E attendance since 2002, from 80 patients per week to 30. Cumulatively this is 65,000 fewer A&E attendances and 950 fewer hospital admissions resulting from violence over the 14 years...”

“A real Cardiff success story”

Attending a 20th anniversary event at Cardiff City Hall, Alun Michael, South Wales Police & Crime Commissioner said: “This is a real Cardiff success story. Our city centre really is a safer place as a result of the work that we are celebrating today and it’s something we need to shout from the rooftops. I pay tribute to the pioneering insights of Professor Jonathan Shepherd in understanding the need for the same clinical precision that he brought to his work as a surgeon to the way we understand and then tackle some of the ills in our society...”

#drinklessenjoymore

“Jon’s practical actions – such as campaigning for the use of toughened glass to reduce injuries – have inspired some of the campaigns led by my team, such as #drinklessenjoymore. Today we celebrate 20 years of dedicated leadership and look to do even more with our partners towards a safer South Wales.”

Still being implemented across Cardiff, where violence-related injuries continue to fall, the Cardiff Model has also been adopted in other cities around the world, in countries such as Netherlands, United States, Australia and South Africa.

When it was piloted 20 years ago, the Cardiff Model was an entirely new way of preventing violence, in which data from hospitals is shared with the police and local authorities. Receptionists at EDs record the precise location and weapon used from people injured in violence, and this information is anonymised and combined with police data to inform violence prevention strategy and tactics.

The 20^th Anniversary of the Cardiff Model was celebrated at an event in Cardiff’s City Hall on Wednesday 21 June. Guests included the Chief Executive of the City of Cardiff Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales.