HAMPSHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner is on the hunt for people to represent young people’s views on how to best tackle crime in the community.

Donna Jones has been the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wright since Thursday, May 13. Before taking on this role she was also the first women to lead a city council in Hampshire.

She is on the lookout for anyone between the ages of 14-24 to join her Youth Commission programme and provide a voice for young people.

Donna said that part of her role is to protect young people from getting involved in crime and to listen to their views and the programme will help her achieve this.

She added: “I would encourage any young person who wants to make a difference in relation to how we tackle the crime and policing issues that impact most on young people to join.”

Every year the Youth Commission programme focuses on key issues and the latest ones include serious violence and hate crime and exploitation.

Ideas suggested by the Youth Commission group have already led to several successful initiatives including the Basingstoke Peace Project to raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime, the Cyber Ambassadors online safety educational programme and the award-winning unhealthy relationships campaign ‘Raise a Flag’.

Members of the Youth Commission will have the opportunity to gain a variety of skills, work and even meet senior police officers and MP’s.

Olivia Henna, who is a member of the group, said it makes her feel like she is part of something important.

She said: “Having a part to play in ensuring that young people have a voice in how best to tackle crime in the community and seeing the direct impact our survey responses have is very rewarding.”

The programme gave her the opportunity to write and present a quarterly report of survey responses to Donna, who uses this to help formulate a police and crime plan.

She added: “I would encourage anyone to volunteer who is looking for a flexible role which can fit around their work and studies. It is an opportunity to make a real difference to local policing and crime strategies.”

A variety of training will be provided to those who take part in the program, which will include networking skills, equality, and diversity, and taking a trauma informed approach, as well as sessions to learn about crime and policing topics and issues.

For more information on how to join visit http://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/join