Tomorrow (Thursday 25 February) will mark the first ‘Big Conversation’ of 2016 inviting young people to be part of the solution to crime, rather than being seen as part of the problem.
Members of the Youth Commission will be gathering the views of more than 30 students aged 14 to 15 years from City of Leicester College. Young people will be expressing their views on how the relationship between young people and the police can be improved.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland, Sir Clive Loader, introduced the Youth Commission in 2013 and said: “Gathering the views of young people is important to help us move forward and make sure the voices of young people in Leicestershire are heard.
“The Big Conversation is an important way of breaking down the barriers between the police and young people.”
The Youth Commission is made up of a diverse group of 25 young people aged between 14 and 25 years, from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who give up their time to make a difference. The aim of the big conversation events is to talk about the six priorities which are most important to young people:
- new psychoactive substances (NPS)
- relationship with the police
- knife crime
- hate crime and radicalisation
- child sexual exploitation (CSE)
- domestic abuse
A series of events are taking place with young people at schools, colleges, universities and with hard-to-reach groups. Young people will have the opportunity to express their views through interactive activities and through completing a youth survey.
“Head Teacher of City of Leicester College, Anne Gregory added: “I am delighted that the opportunity for the Youth Commission, police and students at The City of Leicester College to work together has been offered to us and that so many of our students have volunteered to be involved.
“The relationships between these two groups are crucial to a harmonious and respectful community.
“I very much hope that a good deal of listening from all parties will lead to greater understanding of each other but also that perhaps more of our students will see the diverse opportunities a career in the police could lead to.
“We have benefitted from a positive working relationship with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Leicestershire Police and very much hope this continues beyond school hours.”
We are running a six month campaign to encourage as many young people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland aged between 14 and 25 years old to complete a survey.
It will be used to gather the views of young people and will act as evidence supporting the Youth Commission, when they suggest what changes should be made in Leicestershire Police.
If you or anyone you know is aged between 14 and 25 years old, we would like to hear your views about policing and crime in Leicestershire. Complete the survey.
Find out more about the Youth Commission.
You can follow us on Twitter: @leicsyc
Or e-mail us at: youth.commission@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
Posted on Monday 9th May 2016