The call follows news that James Plaskitt, Labour’s candidate for the police and crime commissioner (PCC) post in Warwickshire, has pledged to introduce a “young people’s commissioner” chosen by young people, should he be elected in November.
Every PCC will be required to draw up a local police and crime plan to set out their priorities and how they intend to improve services for the duration of their term in office. Plaskitt told CYP Now that young people have specific concerns about crime, which should feed into all crime plans.
“I would give a young people’s commissioner a significant input,” he said. “I’m not just interested in having a plan and sticking it on the shelf. It has got to be a call to action and the young people’s commissioner would be the eyes and ears in relation to how it affects young people.”
Youth sector leaders have endorsed Plaskitt's pledge, suggesting the model could be replicated elsewhere.
William Clemmey, chief executive at Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs, said: “Quite a lot of crime is committed against young people so they need to have a say on policing.
"It would also help to challenge some of the negative perceptions around young people. It would be an excellent idea to embed nationally."
Alex Stutz, head of policy at the National Youth Agency (NYA), added: “Any involvement of children and young people that isn’t tokenistic is a good thing, but it would need to be adequately resourced.
“It should be a requirement of PCCs to talk to young people whether in this way or another.”
