How can the new PCCs build back the trust of young people?

They will come to their roles at a time where political parties are gearing up for a general election putting law and order, particularly youth crime, at the forefront of their election rhetoric. Nacro believe PCCs have a critical role to play in strengthening community relationships and putting forward evidence-based solutions. This is particularly the case in building understanding between young people and the police.

Young people are overwhelming more likely to be a victim of crime than a perpetrator, yet the young people who attend Nacro’s services tell us they wouldn’t call the police if they were a victim of crime. They believe the police hold stereotypical views of them and wouldn’t be motivated to help.

There are also a small minority of young people who do get swept up into the criminal justice system, and the new PCCs need to look at what works to divert these people away from crime, especially looking beyond the trend of increasing sentences and criminalisation.

By building better relationships and understanding between young people and the police the PCCs would not only create more unified local communities but increase their understanding about the reasons some young people get swept up into criminal behaviour. Utilising insight, they can build on what they are already doing to offer young people effective alternatives away from crime. 

Increased community engagement

National strategies play a vital role in reducing crime but the true battleground often lies within our communities, where local initiatives can make a tangible difference.

Community policing initiatives, characterised by proactive engagement, problem-solving, and trust-building between officers and members of their local community, have proven to be effective in reducing crime and enhancing public trust in the police.

Young people in Nacro’s services have shared their experiences of interactions involving the police. They tell us that the police sometimes adopt a heavy-handed approach when dealing with young people (for example showing up when they were just being a bit loud) and appear to sometimes hold negative and stereotyped views, which can lead to the discriminatory use of the police’s stop-and-search powers. To foster better community relations, targeted, intelligence-led policing must be prioritised over the use of suspicion-less stop and search.

Sadly, our young people have told us that they were unlikely to call the police if they are a victim of crime or threatened with violence because they believe the police are slow to react when there is a serious threat of violence against a young person. Like all citizens, young people deserve to be protected from being victims of crime. By actively engaging with young people, building positive relationships and addressing the root causes of crime, police can play a crucial role in creating safer environments where young people can thrive and fulfil their potential.

Prevention the key to crime-fighting strategy

Reducing crime, reducing victims and creating safer communities benefits everyone but evidence shows that threat of punishment is not as effective as prevention initiatives to reduce crime.

Investing in youth programmes and educational initiatives not only address the root causes of crime but also equips young people with the tools and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. By providing young people at risk of offending with mentorship, job training, and recreational activities, communities can steer them away from the negative activities, and move towards better life for themselves. Early intervention programs, such as counselling and support services for families facing economic hardship or domestic challenges, can also mitigate risk factors associated with criminal behaviour, reducing crime rates and enhancing community wellbeing.

Police diversion schemes can be innovative programmes designed to divert individuals away from the traditional criminal justice system, particularly for low-level offences. These initiatives often target non-violent offenders, young people, or those struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Instead of arrest and prosecution, participants may be offered alternative measures such as counselling, community service, or educational programmes. The aim is to address underlying issues that may contribute to criminal behaviour while avoiding the stigma and long-term consequences of a criminal record. By providing tailored interventions, police diversion schemes not only promote rehabilitation and reduce reoffending but also alleviate strain on the criminal justice system and foster positive relationships between the police and the community.

Improved collaboration and partnership working

PCCs have a key role to play in reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation for young people who do end up in the criminal justice system. For local initiatives to be successful, PCCs need to actively engage in and encourage collaboration between agencies such as the police, prison service, probation service, the voluntary sector and health and social services. By working together, these agencies can pool their resources, expertise, and knowledge to provide holistic support to young people in the criminal justice system. This collaborative approach ensures that people receive comprehensive support that addresses all aspects of their lives, leading to more effective outcomes and long-term crime reduction.

Despite the challenging environment that the new PCCs will find themselves in, there are many opportunities as well. By looking at the evidence of what works to reduce crime, by building better relationships with young people and the communities they live in and by creating links between the different services that all play a part in young people’s lives, PCCs can make a positive difference to young people across England and Wales, and to our wider communities.

Campbell Robb is chief executive of Nacro