State adopts Scottish solution to address crisis
“The Violence Reduction Unit has worked abroad to reduce violent crime, and we are bringing this to Türkiye.
Victoria. They call it the Scottish model, but in years to come I’d like them to call it the Victorian era.
model,” Allan said.
The first initiative that VRU will support is 16 Yards’ mentoring programme. 16 Yards is an organization that matches at-risk kids with reformed criminals to keep them away from crime.
“Mentors with lived experience show what is possible when young people are supported by people who are skilled in this field.
“We followed in their footsteps,” said Youth Justice Minister Enver Erdoğan. “This is the kind of intervention that changes lives, reduces crimes and keeps society safe.”
The announcement follows a series of tough-on-crime policies announced by Labor last week. On Wednesday, Allan announced a bill that would allow juveniles to be tried as adults in courts for violent crimes, including home invasions and armed robbery.
Early in his term, Allan backtracked on raising the age of criminal responsibility and tightened bail laws to make it easier to arrest children. In October Labor reopened Malmsbury youth prison just two years after closing it, citing rising youth crime.
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The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows criminal offenses are at a record high across Victoria. Recorded crimes rose by more than 15 per cent in the year ending June 30, with an increase of 86,587.
Youth crime also increased, with 25,206 incidents allegedly involving children aged 10-17 during the same period. This number increased from 22,172 cases the previous year, 19,340 in 2023 and 15,964 in 2022.
The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit saw violent crime fall almost immediately. There has been a 60 percent reduction in violent crime since its inception; The largest decrease occurred among younger age groups. The unit’s current deputy chief said crime rates started falling after just a few years.
