Raising the Volume of the Youth Voice in Policing

Gwanwyn MasonMetropolitan Police Service

Context• 15 Million under 19s in the UK• Around 900,000 children of secondary school age in

London• 22% of young Londoners afraid of other young people

in their area• 51% of young Londoners have never been asked to

contribute to their area• 40% young people felt the police weren't there for

them (SLF Youth Survey 2011)

• Policing by Consent

The Riots – a case study

• 85% of those involved in the Riots said the Police were an important factor

• "If you keep getting poked, you're gonna go mad" Rioter, Salford

• 17 Months – average jail term for a Rioter • Engagement with CJ confirms criminal ID• 81% rioters believe it'll happen again, 65%

would be involved again

Why do Young people offend?

• Role modelled / learnt behaviour• A history of unchallenged behaviour• Abuse / neglect• A need for belonging / respect• Boredom / lack of alternative entertainment• Mental Health Problems • Drug Misuse

Why Engage?" Talk to us young people for god's sake – we are

human too!""Listen to young people instead of just accusing them,

get them involved rather than standing back. If anyone can help, we can."

I'm not saying the police or young people are blameless, but it comes down to a lack of

understanding and respect.""There is no point in just saying the Police are rubbish….we need to hurry up and do something

about it!""It's just a question of manners really…"

It is our job…

How do we engage?• Safer London Foundation Youth Ambassadors• Youth Conferences • Youth Survey – fed back to Commissioner• Safer Schools• Child Abuse Investigation Command Forum• Young Leaders Forum• Gang Command Diversion Programmes• Met Active – sports based initiatives• 99% Campaign• Ward Youth panels• Black Police Association

Volunteer Police Cadets• Young People between 13 & 18• 25% from vulnerable backgrounds• 50% BME, 50% female • Units in every borough• Tracking identified risk factors• Developing leaders of the future• Creating a sustainable programme led by and

delivered for young people

What they say…“...then I met PC Piper and the guys a legend. People were telling me ‘oh you’re a

hood rat’ they were trying to pull me down, but PC Piper told me, ‘just stay here’, he used to talk to me whenever I had problems" Cadet, Hackney

“...you just see the police from a completely different side…more of a laid back friendly side” Cadet, Southwark

“Nah, but it’s good though...when you come here, it’s like another family innit” Cadet, Redbridge

"I absolutely hated the feds before I joined, I never understood them but now I get it. They're not perfect but it's a hard job you know"

Cadet, HounslowI'm really proud of what I've done here. I never really got on at school, but this is

ok, I'm hoping to get to college next year – I never thought I'd say that!

What do they give us?• 46,000 hours of volunteering in Summer 2012, • Taskable resource • Reduce pressure on frontline resources• Mystery Shopping • Crime Prevention• Problem Solving• Community engagement & Public Confidence• Delivery of Key Messages• Critical Friends

Natural Problem Solvers• Youth Strategy Development – quality

standards for youth engagement• Youth panels and forums• Young ambassadors• Marketing and publicity – My Met• Social networking• Meeting attendees• Interview Panels• Peer Mentors

When it comes to engaging with young people, we are only limited by our

imagination

Sometimes that is the biggest barrier of all…