LOOKING AHEAD

Police Scotland has collaborated with Fearless (youth section of Crimestoppers) on a number of children and young people focused safety campaigns. For example, ahead of bonfire season and to support the police response under Operation Moonbeam, VPLCU in partnership with Fearless and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will present at a webinar for school engagement staff on the dangers of fireworks and the legislation which was introduced to combat this. In addition, further workshops have been arranged for young people in Edinburgh to educate them on these issues and to highlight the impact disorder has had on organisations such as Edinburgh Zoo and Lothian buses.

Understanding the changing nature of violence and ASB affecting children and young people is critical to shaping and improving our approach to prevention. Police Scotland has been supported by the Preventions Hub at Edinburgh Futures Institute and ongoing engagement with a range of partners including Academic colleagues to consider available research and work towards systematic, evidence-based synthesis of findings across multiple studies. This is intended to enrich our understanding of violence affecting young people and ground our activity in evidence, theory and critical reflection – showing not just what is being done but why it matters and how we can improve outcomes for all.

An academic workshop hosted by the Edinburgh Futures Institute on 27 August, brought together academics, researchers and police, to examine young people in conflict with the law and wider societal and community challenges. Led by Professor Susan McVie, Clair Thomson, Police Scotland’s Collaboration Manager and ACC Sutherland, the group also included dedicated youth engagement professionals to ensure the lived experience and voices of young people were heard to inform the outcomes. The group explored areas such as the pandemic, social media, vulnerability, the changing culture of gangs, existing supporting research and where the gaps remain will drive an evidence review and future research proposals.

Clear aims were set to guide future research and shape a collaborative response. These include ensuring academic research informs future priorities, translating research into practice and strengthening collaborative networks. Further, a commitment to reviewing the role and effectiveness of school engagement officers, building a coalition of voices to advocate for impactful initiatives and addressing gaps in social media engagement by identifying what strategies resonate most effectively.

Violence in Scotland remains at historically low levels and year to date data reflects a continued stable or improving picture overall. This reflects the long-standing commitment from policing and partners in Scotland to prioritise a public health approach with a commitment to understanding the root causes of violence to support sustainable harm reduction. We recognise that some aspects of violence amongst children and young people, particularly in care and educational settings remain an area of concern.

This is reflected in our national strategic approach which sets out clear areas of priority and supports a partnership approach at both a national and local level. Divisional Commanders and local officers know their communities and continue to work tirelessly with local people and partners to deliver tailored intervention and prevention so that children and young people in Scotland can feel safe, supported and involved as we continue to focus on this important and complex area of public safety.