News
Youth Consultation Informs Thames Valley Police’s Approach
19 May 2011
Young people from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire have provided their views on crime, anti-social behaviour and policing through a consultation undertaken by the National Youth Agency on behalf of Thames Valley Police.
A total of 80 young people aged between 11 and 18 years old from Buckinghamshire Youth Cabinet, Goring and District Youth Club and Reading Youth Offending Service took part in three separate focus groups held between October and December 2010.
The consultation identified that a majority of the young people interviewed feel very safe or safe in their local area, but feel less safe when alone in their town centre or when using public transport particularly during the hours of darkness.
The young people also detailed that the main crime and anti-social behaviour issues for the area are adults and young people drinking and taking drugs in public places, bullying and violent crime.
When asked about key ways the police can improve their responses to crime and antisocial behaviour, the young people asked for more police officers, enhanced street lighting, more CCTV cameras, improved response time when dealing with incidents and an increased focus on persistent offenders and high crime areas, rather than on young people hanging around.
Steve Rowell, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing, Said: “Thames Valley Police recognises the importance of listening to young voices. The National Youth Agency helped up to gather the experiences, perceptions and expectations of our local young people – warts and all- so that we can consider and respond to the issues and concerns raised, ensuring our approach is appropriate to the young people in our policing area.
“The comments we have received are mature, balanced and heartfelt. The challenge now is for Thames Valley Police is to help officers and staff to ensure that encounters with young people are as positive as can be.”
National Youth Agency Development Officer Peta Halls, added: “NYA has been supporting police forces and police authorities to consult with young people about their experiences and perceptions of crime and the police for a number of years now, our research has found young people share many of the same experiences and concerns irrespective of where they live in the country.”
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