Young people help shape region's policing

* Youth Commission members with, centre, 

Deputy PCC Ann Griffith and PCC Arfon Jones.

A team of young people are laying down the law in North Wales.

The 30 members of the Youth Commission – the first of its kind in Wales - are helping to draw up a new plan for the way the region is policed.

The scheme was set up by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones and is being overseen by his deputy, Ann Griffith, whose portfolio includes children and young people.

All of the members are aged between 14 and 25 and the four main topics identified by them as major concerns are the relationship between young people and the police, drug issues, anti-social behaviour and mental health issues.

The North Wales Youth Commission meets once a month under the guidance of Leaders Unlocked, a specialist social enterprise organisation that works with young people across the UK and which has been running eight similar schemes across England since 2013.

Also involved is Sian Rogers from Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the youth organisation, who is there to ensure equal access to the Welsh language.

At a meeting held in Colwyn Bay, project manager Alison Roberts said: “The young people who sit on the commission all applied for the role and were selected from as wide a range of communities as possible from right across North Wales.

“The group is so diverse. We have A* students who are really academic, some who are or have been through the care system, young people form ethnic minorities and others who have experience of the criminal justice system.

“We have pulled together a group of young people who in normal circumstances probably wouldn’t have mixed socially. However, they all have a common goal, to improve the lives of young people in North Wales.”

She added: “It isn’t just about sitting around a table at our monthly meetings. Members of the North Wales Youth Commission are speaking to other young people in schools, colleges, youth clubs and even those in the youth justice service to get their views and come up with ideas and solutions to feedback to the PCC.

“The hope is by mid-February we will have spoken to 1,200 young people across North Wales. The plan then is to put the information gathered before a conference which will be run by the young people themselves

“What eventually comes from that conference will be recommendations that will be put to the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones and his deputy Ann Griffith and will then form part of the next North Wales Police and Crime Plan.

“After some very detailed debates the four issues identified by the young people involved include relationship between young people and the police, drug issues, anti-social behaviour and mental health issues.

“As a group these young people are coming up with all sorts of ideas but it’s those four main topics that keep coming up.”

Emily Jones, of Denbigh, Seren Hughes of Corwen, Ruthin’s Hanna Roberts and Erin Gwyn, all 17, say the Youth Commission is a great way for young people to get their views across.

Emily, who has ambitions to become a youth worker, said: “It’s great being able to discuss ideas with other young people from different backgrounds and to try and find solutions.

“It’s certainly important that young people are listened to and that we are given a voice. What we are doing can make a difference not just to young people but the whole of society.”

Seren, who wants to train a social worker, added: “There simply isn’t enough youth provision across North Wales. If we are going to address anti-social behaviour, we have to give disadvantaged young people a purpose.

“Ignoring young people isn’t the answer. We need to be listened to. I’m hoping we can make a difference to what the police concentrate their efforts on as that would benefit everyone not just young people.”

Hanna, who has plans to study criminal investigation at university, added: “We need to see more police on the street but importantly, police officers willing to build a relationship with young people.

“We rarely or never see police officers coming into our schools and that’s a shame. It’s a two way thing and we need young people to build relationships with the police.”

Erin, who wants to study criminology and hasn’t ruled out a career in the police service, added: “There is a real perception that some police officers believe certain young people will behave in a certain way.

“That needs to change as young people need to understand why the police are doing the job they are and the difficulties the face.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Griffith, who has a lead responsibility for young people as part of her role said: “I am really proud of the work these amazing young people are doing.

“This is a wonderful and innovative project and it’s fascinating to hear the views of so many young people. They really do have a voice and we need to listen. I have no doubt the voice of young people will feature strongly in our next Police and Crime Plan.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones dropped in to listen to the young people taking part in the Youth Commission meeting.

He said: “I was fascinated to hear some of the views from these young people who come from right across North Wales.

“It’s clear they are putting a great deal of thought into the issues that affect young people and in particular in their day to day relationships with the police.

“We will listen very carefully to their views and what they believe is the way forward as we develop our new Police and Crime plan.”