On Tuesday (21st August) the PCC’s Youth Commissioners pitched their ideas on key policies within the Police and Crime plan to a panel of judges.
The event took place at the Prince’s Trust centre in Digbeth Birmingham, and was attended by family members, drug treatment providers and local volunteers.
Working in partnership with UpRising, a national youth leadership organisation, the Youth Commissioners were challenged to develop ideas which would help improve young people’s understanding of drugs and how to reduce harm.
The Youth Commissioners based their campaigns on two key themes: education and intervention.
Presenting in front of a guest panel allowed them to develop a number of different skills and allowed them to voice some of the everyday issues young people face.
Speaking on the event Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Ashley Bertie said: “The Youth Commissioners presentations were a great success and it is pleasing to see them doing so well as their term comes to an end.
“Presenting in this way, will give them skills which will be useful to them beyond their term as Youth Commissioners and help shape them into the leaders of tomorrow.
“Drugs and drug policy is a key area of our work, and it is important that the voice of young people is also represented.
“I look forward to seeing how their ideas for change come to fruition in the near future.”
Youth Commissioners were established in 2014. Their role is to:
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- Lead on consultation with young people on the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan
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- Be the voice of young people; having the opportunity to speak directly with the
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- Police and Crime Commissioner, police officers and decision makers.
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- Engage and consult with other young people in their local communities and listen to their views.
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- Be able to question, challenge and inform policy
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- Help to build relationships and break down barriers that exist between the police, young people and the community
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- Raise the profile of young people with the community in a positive way.
