THE Police and Crime Commissioner is appealing to young people to join a virtual session and share their views on policing and community safety.

As part of a Youth Advistory Group (YAG) session, Mark Burns-Williamson wants to hear young peoples’ views to help with the Police and Crime Plan, important consultations and numerous policies and campaigns.

This latest session - taking place on Saturday, October 3 at 11am - will have a specific focus on allowing any young people the opportunity to ask the commissioner any questions or raise issues which are important to them.

Any interested parties will need to register via the email address – consultation@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “One of my key roles is to regularly engage with the public and communities, with young people being an integral part of that.

“I need to understand everyone’s views in order to inform future work, our strategic direction and to ensure that policing is delivering across all of our communities and I am very much looking forward to Saturday’s YAG session.

“Young people can join from the comfort of their own homes or premises to let me know how they are feeling and ask any policing or community safety related questions.

“I have engaged with young people throughout lockdown period, including a logo designing competition for the YAG and a creative writing competition which allowed young people to express their thoughts and feelings about Covid-19 and policing.

“It’s still an unprecedented time currently, and I am aware that some young people may be feeling vulnerable and frustrated so we all need to do everything we can to ensure they are being supported and listened to.

“My Youth Advisory Group is also currently recruiting for full time members. It’s open for young people aged between 13 and 21 to join, and aims to give them a more active say on community safety and how they are policed in West Yorkshire and also influencing how commissioned services can work best for them.”