Met Police approves respect strategy

The Met's youth strategy aims to make young people in the capital feel safer, and was approved by the Metropolitan Police Authority last Friday (25 October).

The strategy, as revealed by CYP Now (17-23 October), states that all children and young people should be treated with "respect and dignity, irrespective of the circumstances by which they came into contact with the police", and sets out four performance areas the Met hopes will make a difference to the lives of young people.

These four areas are: engagement with children and young people; youth justice; serious youth violence; and vulnerable children and young people.

The strategy highlights information-sharing as vital in combating serious youth violence, and says multi-agency working is the key. "The success of this strand depends on an approach that does not seek to criminalise young people," it says.

"We recognise the greatest contribution will be made by youth diversion and engagement schemes provided by local councils, communities and voluntary sector, businesses, charities and central government."

The strategy vows that the force will develop a better understanding of children and young people, of crimes committed by them and the contributory factors that increase their vulnerability.

Mike Thomas, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said: "It's great that the Met is open in publishing a youth crime strategy.

"It's right that information sharing is key but there will always be concerns about what happens to the information given by others."

Paul Cavadino, chief executive of crime reduction charity Nacro, said he welcomed the strategy's commitment to dealing respectfully with young people. "The emphasis on bringing the force's approach to young people in line with the principles of Every Child Matters is encouraging," he said.

- www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/committees/mpa/071025-06-appendix1.pdf.