This Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) identifies and details the drivers of violence and exploitation in Bedfordshire and the cohorts of people most affected. It fulfils the dual requirements for the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) and the specified authorities under the Serious Violence Duty (SVD) to produce an SNA. The geographical focus of Bedfordshire mirrors the area covered by the Bedfordshire Police Force and the local unitary authorities of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Luton Borough Council.