As part of their commitment to reduce violence, help heal communities and provide services that stop people from committing further offences, the Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT) wants to develop a strategy for the use of restorative justice with serious youth violence, street group violence (e.g. riots) and gang related crime. IARS has been asked to support this initiative by providing independent and evidence-based advice that will allow GMPT to develop a solid framework for their future policy and practice in this area.