South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Parker welcomes youth involvement in setting South Belfast policing priorities

Published: 14 December, 2009

Vincent Parker, Balmoral Sinn Fein Representative and Vice Chair of the South Belfast District Policing Partnership, has welcomed the involvement of young people in the planning of policing priorities in South Belfast.

Speaking after addressing a sixth form schools consultation seminar on Wednesday 9th December, in South Belfast, he said,

"I was very pleased to address the sixth form consultation seminar, which included over 50 pupils from 14 schools, on the issues of Community Safety and the role of the DPP. This is a positive and constructive forum committed to listening to young people and their concerns regarding policing and community safety."

"The event focussed on the themes of making Belfast safer, tackling anti social behaviour, tackling hate crime, and tackling alcohol and drugs misuse. Young people are very often misrepresented in our communities, and it is a fact that only a very small number of young people are involved in anti social behaviour or other crime. Indeed, Young people are MORE likely to victim of a crime, compared to older adults. In recent surveys, just over 40% of young people, aged between 16-20 have been the victim of a criminal offence, compared to 9% in the older adult population. The vast majority of young people are model citizens of our city"

"I was delighted to hear that the school groups got their chance to voice their opinion on their own experience and perceptions of the PSNI, and what changes they would introduce that would make it easier for young people to communicate with those responsible for community safety."

"I also called for more participation in the DPP process by younger people, either through attendance at public meetings, or consultation events in schools, which will contribute towards setting the policing priorities, in South Belfast, on a more representative basis."

CRÍOCH