Cheshire’s new Youth Commission on Police and Crime was launched on Saturday during its first meeting.

Working with Leaders Unlocked, police and crime commissioner John Dwyer has launched the new project to continue work to build links between the police and young people across the county.

He said: “Young people are an integral part of our local community and have a huge amount of skills and expertise that I want to harness to inform and develop the Constabulary and our plans for the future.

"When we launched the recruitment of volunteers last month I hoped that young people across the county would take the opportunity to make sure that their voices were heard. 

"I am delighted to say that Leaders Unlocked received a great selection of applications from a diverse range of motivated 14 to 25 year olds. This is crucial in making the project a success.”  

Rose Dowling, director of Leaders Unlocked added that she was delighted by the response.

She said: "The new youth commission is bringing together young adults from a wide range of occupations and backgrounds including ex-offenders, looked-after children, aspiring police officers, law students, and trainee youth workers."

The first meeting focused on the new youth commission members who identified the main issues.

Volunteers will work with Leaders Unlocked to develop how the priorities will be discussed further as part of the youth commission’s ‘Big Conversation’ with young people in Cheshire.

Mr Dwyer concluded: “I’ll be using it as a chance to tell them how important I view the work that they’ll be doing and most importantly listening to what they have to say about their relationship with policing in Cheshire."