By KLTV Newsdesk –

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has reinforced her commitment to tackling serious violence with the launch of her latest Police and Crime Plan.

Unveiled today (24 February) at an event in Leeds, the plan sets out a bold vision for community safety, building on the region’s innovative work to protect women and girls while also addressing gang violence, drug-related crime, and knife crime.

The strategy, shaped by extensive consultation with the public, police, victim groups, and rehabilitation organisations, places a strong focus on supporting those most at risk.

In addition to safeguarding women and girls, the plan prioritises intervention for vulnerable men and boys, particularly those at risk of exploitation through ‘county lines’ gangs and knife crime.

A key feature of the initiative is its pioneering ‘child-first’ approach, which aims to place children and young people at the heart of decision-making.

Other priorities include ‘West Yorkshire Vision Zero’, an ambitious target to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in the region.

‘Serious Violence Is a Scourge on Society’

Speaking on the plan, Tracy Brabin said: “Serious violence remains a scourge on society both locally and nationally, which is why I have made this a top priority for our region.

“We are known for our innovative approach to tackling male violence towards women and girls. But it is crucial that we also work together to support vulnerable men and boys and clamp down on issues like gang violence and knife crime.

“We will continue to work with our partners and communities to ensure West Yorkshire remains a safer, fairer place to live and work.”

New ‘I Took a Seat’ Campaign Launched

As part of the event, the Mayor also announced the launch of a major new campaign, ‘I Took a Seat’, co-produced by the West Yorkshire Youth Commission and the Violence Reduction Partnership. The campaign responds to findings from the Youth Commission’s ‘Big Conversation’ report, which highlights key issues such as:

• Gangs, Drugs, and Knife Crime
• Attitudes and Violence Towards Women
• Rehabilitation and Prevention
• Community Relationships and Life

Troy, a member of the Youth Commission whose personal experiences feature in the campaign, emphasised the need for young people to lead the conversation on knife crime.

He said: “I wanted to be part of the campaign because I wanted to be involved in something that directly affects young people and to tell a story about why knife crime should be discussed more.

“We, as young people, have the power to drive change and hold important people to account on the issues we care about. This campaign is personally important to me because knife crime is a major problem in the UK, and we need to tackle it to make our streets safer.

“I hope this campaign will bring positive change and educate young people on the dangers of carrying a knife, so that we can all respect one another for who we are.”

Police Praise Community-Led Approach

Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Berry, Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, praised the collaborative approach behind the campaign: “This event really represents how much we can achieve when we work together in partnership to address serious violence.

“The ‘I Took a Seat’ campaign, developed with our Youth Commission, is a fantastic example of how we can create real change by listening to and acting on the concerns of young people.

“This all supports the Mayor’s bold vision in the new Police and Crime Plan, ensuring our communities remain protected from harm.”

With serious violence remaining a critical issue both regionally and nationally, the Mayor’s new plan and the ‘I Took a Seat’ campaign mark significant steps towards making West Yorkshire a safer place for all.

Learn more about the plan on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Website.