Police authorities work together to help protect children and young people

29/08
10 June 2008

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is hosting a seminar for police authorities from around the country to explore their responsibilities to protect children and young people.

Meeting at MPA headquarters in central London on Wednesday 11 June, representatives from police authorities and police services will discuss their progress to meet the legal duties placed on them by the Every Child Matters agenda.

Every Child Matters, incorporated within the Children Act 2004, seeks to provide a more joined up approach to safeguarding children. All agencies involved with providing services to children, including the police, need to work in a more coordinated way, sharing information and working together to protect children and young people from harm.

MPA member Richard Sumray said:

“The police, alongside other agencies, have a duty to protect children and young people from harm. Following the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, Every Child Matters sets out to ensure that all of those involved in protecting them are working together more effectively. With that comes additional responsibilities to improve wellbeing through the policies and services we provide.

“Police Authorities have a vital role to ensure their police services are both committed and compliant with the Every Child Matters agenda. In addition, police authorities themselves must demonstrate a clear commitment to children and young people.

“Last year the MPA worked with the Association of Police Authorities (APA) to develop official national guidance for all police authorities to achieve these obligations. At today’s seminar we will be discussing progress to date and sharing best practice.”

Speaking about the broader issue of young people and the dangers they face, Richard continued:

“It is a popular myth that young people are a problem in society, that they are mostly the perpetrators of crime. This is as much of a generalisation as saying that all football fans are hooligans. We must understand that the vast majority of young people are just as worried about crime, about the possibility of becoming a victim, as the rest of society, and they need our understanding and protection.

“The Every Child Matters agenda is also about hearing the voices of young people, their problems and fears. The MPA made a determined effort to do just this and find out what they think during our recent youth scrutiny, which is firmly grounded in the real experiences of young people themselves. We heard about the problems they face, and how they can work together with police and partner agencies to solve them, and we made recommendations to bring about change. This is a prime example of how police authorities can fulfil their duties under the Act.”

Notes to Editors

1. The MPA youth scrutiny consulted with many young people and Londoners across the capital. It was supported by a diverse group of 26 young Londoners who acted as a reference group and were involved from the outset. The youth scrutiny report can be found at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/issues/youth/youth-scrutiny.pdf

Further media information

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