Young people invited to help shape policing and community safety across Hertfordshire

Young people across Hertfordshire are being urged to step forward and help influence the future of policing, crime prevention and community safety as recruitment opens for the second year of the Hertfordshire Youth Commission.

Open to young people aged 14 to 25, the Youth Commission gives members a direct voice in the issues affecting their communities, helping to challenge, support and inform the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner while developing skills, confidence and real-world experience.

The recruitment drive follows a successful first year, which saw Youth Commission members speak to young people across the county, publish a report highlighting key concerns, and produce a powerful animation exploring knife crime and joint enterprise. You can watch the video and read the report here: https://tinyurl.com/4pk6h49h

Now a new group of young people is being sought to bring fresh ideas, lived experience and honest challenge to the issues affecting their communities.

Members will help track progress against the first year’s recommendations, continue important conversations in schools and communities, contribute to work on urgent issues such as knife crime, safety and online harm and drive campaigns designed to keep young people safe.

They will also build on the work already started by using the animation created by the first Youth Commission to support engagement sessions and discussions with other young people across Hertfordshire.

Schools, colleges, youth organisations and community groups are being encouraged to share the opportunity widely so young people from all backgrounds and experiences have the chance to take part.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said:

“The first year of the Youth Commission produced real insight through its report and a powerful animation, and that work is already helping shape our understanding of the challenges young people face.

“We are now looking for a new group of young people who want to speak up, challenge ideas and help influence positive change in their communities and across Hertfordshire.

“If you care about making your community safer and making sure young people are heard, I would strongly encourage you to apply.

“We’ve seen how powerful it is when young people are given a voice and I’m excited to see what the second year of the Youth Commission achieves.”

Young people interested in joining the Youth Commission can apply online now.

How to apply

Apply now.