Thame pupils to be consulted by Police (Status: Press release)

SCHOOL CHILDREN in south Oxfordshire will have the chance to shape the future of policing in the county in a series of consultation events.
Hazel Bell, chair of Thames Valley Police Authority?s Oxfordshire Police Committee, together with South Oxfordshire District Council officers and Thames Valley Police schools officers, will be asking young people if they think current policing priorities in their town or village match their own.

As well as an event at Lord Williams?s school in Thame, other events are planned for Watlington School, Gillotts School in Henley and Wallingford School, before the Christmas break.

Mum-of-three Hazel has sat on the Police Authority for 18 months and introduced the youth consultation events after a series of engagement events held throughout the Thames Valley earlier this year did not include as many young people as the Authority wanted.

She hopes the schools events will help Neighbourhood Action Group prioritise young people?s concerns as well as those of older members of the community.

Hazel said: ?We are really pleased secondary schools in South Oxfordshire have agreed to support these events and give us an opportunity to meet young people and gain a better understanding of what worries them when they are out and about in their towns and villages.

?The feedback from the events will be used to help us to develop both our local and forcewide policing plans.

?It will also help the Neighbourhood Action Groups to identify local policing priorities and South Oxfordshire District Council to develop community safety plans and networking events for young people.?

NB

Neighbourhood Action Groups are working groups made up of members of the community, police, local authorities and other partners.
Members look at policing priorities identified and determine how they can be tackled.

The youth consultation events follow on from a series of consultation events held across Thames Valley with members of the public, stakeholders and partner organisations.

Thames Valley Police Authority is an independent body made up of local people, magistrates and councillors who oversee the management of Thames Valley Police Force.

It is responsible for maintaining an efficient and effective police service, approving and monitoring the annual police budget and setting the police element of the council tax.

It also appoints the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables.