MORE funding is being pumped into efforts to tackle serious violence across Wiltshire as new figures reveal the scale of the problem and hidden cost to communities.

A fresh round of Home Office funding, awarded through the Serious Violence Duty, will help police, schools, health services and community groups continue work aimed at preventing violent crime before it happens.

The investment comes as a new assessment revealed 764 serious violence offences were recorded across Wiltshire and Swindon in the year to September 2025.

The impact stretches far beyond crime figures.

Officials estimate serious violence cost society more than £13 million over the year – with the real cost potentially exceeding £26 million when unreported incidents are considered.

Although Wiltshire and Swindon remain below the national average for serious violence and are considered safer than many comparable areas, the latest assessment highlights that violence is concentrated in specific places and among people most at risk.

Rather than a blanket approach, the funding will target hotspots, vulnerable young people and repeat offenders, with a strong focus on prevention.

Among the schemes set to continue is Focused Deterrence, which works closely with high-risk individuals and has been credited with reducing offending and missing person episodes.

Another programme, Synergy, uses police data to intervene early and has been linked to an 80% reduction in harmful behaviour among participants.

Projects helping young people build skills and confidence, specialist training for teachers and youth workers, and a new psychologist-led intervention supporting vulnerable children will also receive backing.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said tackling serious violence required agencies to work together.

“While Wiltshire remains a safe place to live, serious violence continues to cause lasting harm to individuals, families and communities,” he added.

“The Home Office funding provided through the Serious Violence Duty allows us to act on what the evidence is telling us.”

He said the funding would help focus efforts on prevention, early intervention and protecting those most at risk, with the aim of improving long-term safety across communities.