Young people and the Commissioner - face to face at the MPA

15/08
31 March 2008

Young people from all over London gathered to put their questions to the Commissioner at a meeting held by the MPA on 27 March 2008, and to share their experiences of policing in the capital.

The event was the culmination of a series of consultative activities organised by the MPA with young people over the past six months as part of the MPA youth scrutiny.

Richard Sumray, MPA member and youth scrutiny chair said:

“This was a great opportunity for young Londoners to put their views about policing in our capital directly to the Commissioner. Many adult practitioners, professionals and commentators are currently airing their views on why young people become victims or perpetrators of crime but we rarely hear the views of young people themselves.

“The information gathered through these events will be published in a report, which will be going to the Authority meeting on 29 May. The MPA will then continue its work on the youth scrutiny by making sure its recommendations are implemented by the Met in their youth strategy and on the ground in day-to-day policing.”

The Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said:

“This kind of meeting is very important – it enables us as police officers to hear first hand what London’s young people expect and need from us.

”Building positive relationships with all our communities, especially young people, is integral to successful policing in London and this was a major step in the right direction. Young people are an asset to London and it is clear that this event was well attended by police officers so they could listen to and learn from what the audience was telling us.”

Issues discussed by the group included how to stop young people getting involved in gangs, how younger people are forced into drug dealing by others, and the lack of adequate youth provision.

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