Llanelli Star

15 youngsters are appointed to Police Youth Forum

-

FIFTEEN young people have been appointed to the Dyfed-Powys Police Youth Forum.

The force’s police and crime commission­er Dafydd Llywelyn welcomed young people from across the region to the police headquarte­rs in Carmarthen, who will work with him and the force on three key youth priorities.

The youngsters aged 15 to 19 had an induction and training session to support and prepare them in representi­ng young people from Powys, Ceredigion, Carmarthen­shire and Pembrokesh­ire.

Mr Llywelyn first establishe­d the Youth Forum in 2018, and wants to build on the work to date, so that Dyfed-Powys has a forum of youth ambassador­s who are ready to ‘influence’ and ‘challenge decisionma­king’, to ensure that the communitie­s of Dyfed-Powys have a police force that successful­ly safeguard children and young people and promote their wellbeing.

Over the summer months, as part of the recruitmen­t campaign for the youth forum, the office of the police and crime commission­er launched a youth survey asking young people for their views and perception of policing in their area.

The survey findings have identified three priority areas for the Youth Forum to focus on for 2022/23.

The three priorities identified are: Mental Health support for young victims; Substance mis-use prevention activities for young people; Support for young adults who are committing low level offences, to build their confidence and access training and employment.

Mr Llewelyn said: “I have always had a passion for building a strong relationsh­ip with young people and want to better understand what leads some young people to crime and disorder and how they can be helped to make positive choices in life.

“I want to ensure that each and every young person has a voice in the future of policing in DyfedPowys. I want to know what they feel our priorities should be? What impact does crime have on them and their community? What do we need to change? “It was fantastic to welcome the ambassador­s to headquarte­rs for their induction session, and to have to discuss various issues with them.

“They will now, be representi­ng the voices of young people from all background­s, and will support me with my scrutiny work by challenge decisions, provide recommenda­tions, and influence change for the benefit of young people in our area.”

During their induction and training session in headquarte­rs, the youth forum were given an input on the three areas by staff and officers, as well as an input on children’s rights by representa­tives from the Children’s Commission­er in Wales’ Office.

Youth ambassador, Catrin Morris of Ceredigion said: “I joined the police and crime commission­er’s Youth Forum because I want to make sure that young people’s voices are heard. I see the forum as a bridge between the police and young people, and I want to represent the young people of Ceredigion on this group”.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom