Young people attend police engagement event

Young people from Peterborough attended a police youth engagement event at the weekend to discuss key issues such as knife crime.

The group of 25 teenagers met officers at Gladstone Park Community Centre in Bourges Boulevard on Saturday (27 January), where they took part in various scenario-based activities, as well as discussing knife crime and joint enterprise.

Joint enterprise is a concept in law meaning a person can be found guilty of murder, even if they were not the person who struck the fatal blow. This applies if an individual was part of the situation and was supporting the group’s activity in some way.

The teenagers were from community groups including Dominion Christian Connections, Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association and the Peterborough Youth Council. Staff from Peterborough Regional College also supported the event.

The event happened on the penultimate day of Neighbourhood Policing Week, with local officers attending to speak to young people from the community.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Massey said: “It’s vitally important we engage with young people and talk to them about key issues such as knife crime.

“Thank you to everyone who attended and those that made it possible.

“The day followed on from a pilot project conducted at our headquarters in Huntingdon last year and I’m really pleased we’ve been able to continue this good work in Peterborough.

“Our aim is that these engagement events will inform and inspire young people, as well as offering them an opportunity to ask questions about issues that concern them. We hope they will go back to our communities and tell others about what they have learnt concerning issues such as knife crime.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston, said: “Far too often, we have seen the devastating impact knife crime can have on loved ones and the wider community.

“Tackling knife crime is a key priority for the Constabulary and myself. I fully support any targeted prevention work, such as Saturday’s event in Gladstone Park Community Centre, which helps raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives.

“I encourage anyone who has any information about someone who carries or uses a knife to contact the Constabulary of Crimestoppers anonymously.”

For more information visit the dedicated knife crime pages on this website.

Photo: The group of young people with police officers and volunteers