Passionate young people have provided suggestions to Nottinghamshire Police on how they can improve policing to build trust and faith in the police force. With social media one suggestion on how the police can better communicate with young people, the workshops have been described as "insightful".
The Youth Independent Advisory Group was launched in January 2023 to build on the work of the Nottinghamshire Youth Council by giving young people a stronger voice in helping to shape policing decisions locally and to help build better relationships between the force and young people. At the sessions taken place at YMCA in Nottingham city centre, conversations involving stop and search have been had.
Representatives from Nottinghamshire Police have also attended the meeting to listen to the voices of young people, taking away with them all that they’ve said. Young people have already given insights on how the force can use social media – particularly Instagram - to better engage and communicate with them.
The workshops, facilitated by Leaders Unlocked – an organisation that allows young people and underrepresented groups to have a platform to speak on issues that affect their lives and help shape decision-making for the better work with young people who are mainly 14-25. One of the Youth Independent Advisory Group members said the group was having a positive impact.
They said: ‘‘My experience has been really interesting and insightful. I feel like through the meetings I have been able to gain more knowledge surrounding the police and have had opportunities to work with other young people to figure out how to share that knowledge with Nottinghamshire youths.’’
Police and Crime Commissioner, Caroline Henry has been present at the meetings. She said: “The initiative is just one of a number of ways Nottinghamshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are trying to help build trust and confidence in the force.
“The importance of this kind of work is made really clear when you consider how police forces nationwide have been shocked and saddened by the outcome of Baroness Casey’s recent review into the Metropolitan Police, which found institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia in the London force. It is really important that we remain vigilant to ensure there is no place for discrimination and hate within Nottinghamshire Police and that we continue to work with all sections of the community – including young people – to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in everything we do.
Kelese Hyacinth, Project Coordinator at Leaders Unlocked, added: “The youth Independent Advisory Group is very important as it allows young people to have a voice and be heard. Our young people are very passionate about these issues relating to policing and crime as it affects them and their peers.
“The group has been very positive for our Youth Commission members and they have all enjoyed participating as they feel they are being taken seriously and that positive changes will be made within their community.
“During meetings, members have spoken about stop and search. Getting information from officers and learning more about the procedure of stop and search has been really useful as the members now feel more confident when speaking about stop and search and also knowing their rights.”
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