Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP recently had the pleasure of visiting Southam based RiVR, a company leading the way in virtual reality (VR) technology. Their work is opening up new opportunities for young people to learn through immersive experiences, helping them to develop vital decision-making skills in a safe and engaging environment. This innovative approach links closely with the work Neil has been undertaking in both Westminster and Solihull West & Shirely to tackle the root causes of knife crime.
RiVR works with Police Forces, as well as Fire and Rescue Services and other agencies. VR technology is already being used effectively in some police forces, but provision across the country is still patchy. Where it has been introduced, VR has proved its worth in helping young people make better choices. It has been used to address issues such as knife crime, misogyny, county lines, anti-social behaviour, and the activities of so-called “Lost Boys”.
For our emergency services, VR also provides valuable training opportunities. It allows personnel to practise responding to major incidents and to test their decision-making in realistic scenarios, all within a safe and controlled environment.
The benefits go beyond training alone. VR has a real role to play in community outreach and early intervention. By giving young people the chance to experience the real-world consequences of poor decisions, it helps them to think differently about their choices. At the same time, it enables services to engage more effectively with communities and strengthen the skills of their staff.
In this way, VR is not only helping to prevent violent crime but is also supporting the wider work of local resilience forums, making communities better prepared for emergencies and building stronger bonds between the public and the agencies that serve them.
VR provides a unique way to do just that; allowing young people to step into realistic scenarios, see the outcomes of their decisions, and learn lessons that will stay with them far longer than any lecture or leaflet.
Following his visit, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
“VR is not just about new technology – it’s about giving young people the confidence to make decisions, to think critically, and to learn from experience. Companies like RiVR are helping to ensure that the next generation is better prepared for the world ahead.”
