High Cost Interventions
8. Focused Deterrence
Focused Deterrence is a multi-agency strategy aimed at reducing serious violence by targeting indiviudals and/ or groups that are most involved. It combines direct communication of consequences for continued offending, swift enforcement if violence continues, intensive support (mentoring, education, employment), and community engagement to reinforce positive change. It's designed to intervene at a reachable moment and offer a clear path away from violence.
Cost for a three year programme:
Staffing (multi-agency team: police, mentors, analysts, coordinators): £300,000-£500,000 per annum
Support Services (education, employment, therapy, housing): £100,000-£200,000 per annum
Training and Development: £20,000-£40,000 per annum
Community Engagement: £10,000-£30,000 per annum
Data & Intelligence Systems: £30,000-£60,000 per annum
Local Needs Assessment: 2-3 months
Stakeholder Engagement: 2-3 months
Multi-Agency Group Formation: 1-2 months
Data & Intelligence setup: 2-3 months
Programme Design: 2 months
Staff Recruitment & training: 2-3 months
Pilot Delivery: 3-6 months
Full Implementation: 6-12 months.
Total 1.5-3 years
Maintenance costs for a three year programme:
Staff Retention & Salaries: £300,000-£500,000
Support Continuity: £100,000-£200,000
Monitoring & Evaluation: £50,000-£100,000
Community Engagement: £10,000-£30,000
AMC: £450,000-£800,000
Effectiveness
Focused Deterrence is one of the most evidence-backed violence reduction strategies, showing moderate to strong reductions in serious violence.
UK trials have shown a 46% reduction in violent offending, and Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) funded projects across 5 UK cities. Glasgow Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) has shown a 52% reduction in violent offending, and 84% recution in weapons carriage. Best when targeting a small, concentrated, high-risk group, and combines enforcement, support, and community legitimacy.