Youth violence is not just an individual problem — it is a network problem.
On 20 May 2026, the Institute of Criminology and the Violence Research Centre held an online presentation of findings from their study examining how the relational behaviours of young people, as captured by police crime records, shape their risk of involvement in violence, both as suspects and as victims. The study was led by Professor Paolo Campana, in collaboration with postdoctoral researcher Noemi Corsini, and Cecilia Meneghini from the University of Exeter. Their discussion was led by James Sutherland, Chief Superintendent of Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
Drawing on administrative records from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the research focused on an at-risk population of young people aged 10 to 18 who are already known to the police, placing their offending relationships at the centre of the inquiry. The findings shed new light on the network structures and positions that drive vulnerability to violence, and point to practical opportunities for targeted, network-informed interventions. This webinar presented the key results and their implications for reducing serious violence among young people.
The project has been funded by the Nuffield Foundation, but the views expressed were those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the Foundation's views.