Youth Commission meet Wiltshire Police for knife crime talks
The Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Commission have met with officers from Wiltshire Police to talk about knife crime in the county.
The Youth Commission, which is run by Leaders Unlocked, enables young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner. As part of their role, young people are able to gain new knowledge, skills and experiences, and have their say on crime and policing issues that matter most to them and their peers.
At the meeting held in Swindon, they asked important questions about the laws concerning carrying a bladed weapon in public, the consequences of being caught with a knife illegally as well as the rules the police have to follow when carrying out a stop and search. They also talked about the laws regarding joint enterprise.
Last year, the commission spoke to over 2,000 young people in Wiltshire about a range of subjects and our new intake of youth commissioners have chosen knife crime as one of the key issues they'd like to address.
Hafiza Khan is the project leader from Leaders Unlocked:
"This day was very informative for the Youth Commission members as it gave an insight into knife crime and joint enterprise.
"Joint enterprise laws are not understood by young people, so I think it was very important to have had the opportunity to have open discussions, learn about what it is and the consequences.
"The Youth Commission is very keen to ask more questions and help promote and advise on key police strategies and decisions"
Superintendent Joe Saunders lead the discussions:
"It's important we use sessions like this with the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Commission so that they can go out and spread our message to their peers.
"It's just as important that we take feedback from them and incorporate it into our strategy to tackle youth violence"
Published Friday 4 August 2023