Avon and Somerset Police are looking for young people to provide their voice and scrutiny on the use of police powers.
'Youth scrutiny and hearing the voice of young people is an area in which we want to improve significantly in Avon and Somerset Police and we want to give young people an opportunity to comment on how we use stop and search. We understand that coming to police stations is not often conducive to open conversation, so would be looking for settings to consider if they would be able to spare some space in which the sessions could take place, in safe environment where the young people feel able to speak freely. It is our hope to hold these sessions in person.
We will provide anonymised body worn video footage (faces blurred and personal details muted out) of real life stop searches and an officer will attend to provide an overview of stop and search and what officers need to demonstrate and explain, as well as collating the young people’s feedback on watching the videos and answering any questions the group may have. We are also exploring how we can compensate young people for their time (i.e. a voucher or something similar), though will need to have an understanding of likely number of attendees and settings first before making a final decision on how we payback the young person’s time in being involved. At the very least we will bring snacks for all dietary requirements to help make the session an enjoyable one.
The overall objective is to give young people a voice on how they are policed and help Avon and Somerset Police to improve and recognise best practice, in the same way currently afforded to adults through the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel.'
Please email School Safeguarding Advisor Jess Curtis Jessica.curtis@bristol.gov.uk and Chief Inspector Victoria Hayward-Mellen Victoria.Hayward-Melen@avonandsomerset.police.uk to express interest and for further information.