Sir Clive Loader, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, is looking for 14-25 year olds across the Force area to help find solutions to policing and crime issues.
Leicestershire is the first area to sign up to a ‘Youth Commission’ pilot project in which the Commissioner will work in partnership with young people in a ‘Big Conversation’ to develop strategies to address urgent issues in their areas, including offending and re-offending, hate crime, and drug crime.
Sir Clive believes that listening to young people and then involving them in forming a solution is vital to repair the often difficult relationship between young people and the police.
Between July and October, the ‘Big Conversation’ will ask 2,000 young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for their views on what needs to be done to tackle crime and improve policing. The final results will be published at the end of the year.
Sir Clive is working with a charity, the SHM Foundation, to deliver the project. With training and support from them, the new Youth Commission will be made up of a diverse cross-section of 14-25 year olds from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. These young people will help to decide the shape of their own ‘Big Conversation’ and what issues they examine.
Sir Clive said:
“The Youth Commission will challenge, support and inform the work I do. We are aiming to create a group that truly represents the young people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who have a very important part to play in crime prevention and early intervention.
“Young people want to be part of the solution, not be seen as the problem, so it is crucial that they have a voice. I am keen to hear their views on how we can work together to reduce crime and make our communities safer.”
Anyone wishing to join the Youth Commission should click here for more information and an application form. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 12th June.
Posted on Monday 9th May 2016