Youth voices set to be at the forefront of community safety
The launch of a new Youth Listening Project in Clifton and Bulwell will see over three hundred young people use their voices to help shape change in their community.
It comes as part of a new partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham Trent University.
The Youth Listening Project is designed to connect with local young people to hear directly from them about how crime and antisocial behaviour impact their daily lives. By engaging with these communities, the project aims to develop practical ways to make streets safer and support young people in becoming active participants in shaping a safer environment.
This work comes after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire has invested £333,000 in Nottingham City as part of the latest round of Safer Streets projects which have been launched around the county.
Due to a change in regulations only allowing for a maximum of three bids, which would have excluded the city. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire has committed the additional funding for projects in Nottingham City to ensure the people of Nottingham don’t miss out.
The project will see Nottingham Trent University, work closely with young people, youth workers, and parents/carers in various settings such as schools, youth clubs, and community centres.
The aim is to speak with three hundred individuals from Clifton and Bulwell to understand their perspectives on local safety issues. This information will help identify key areas that need attention and how resources can best be used to make these neighbourhoods safer.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “This project is a vital step in ensuring that the voices of young people in Clifton and Bulwell are heard and acted upon.
“By engaging directly with those who are most affected by crime and antisocial behaviour, we can better understand the challenges they face and work together to create safer, more supportive communities.
“Young people are the future of our city, and their insights are invaluable in shaping a safer environment for everyone. I am committed to ensuring that we listen, learn, and implement real changes based on their experiences.”
Young people will also have the opportunity to be part of a Youth Leadership Team, where they will receive training in leadership and community engagement. This team will lead peer-to-peer discussions, ensuring that the voices of young people are at the forefront of this initiative. These conversations will help uncover important themes and ideas that could shape future safety measures.
David Woolley, Director of the Centre for Student and Community Engagement at Nottingham Trent University said: "The Safer Streets work complements NTU’s ongoing partnership work in Clifton and Bulwell, which aims to foster community collaboration and build stronger, more resilient communities through sustainable, long-term, cross-sector initiatives.
“NTU is committed to creating impactful, context-specific initiatives that address the unique needs of our local communities to create meaningful change.”
The Youth Listening Project is just one part of a larger effort under the Safer Streets 5 initiative to improve safety in Clifton and Bulwell. Other ongoing work includes upgrading street lighting, installing new CCTV cameras, the instillation of free home security equipment for vulnerable residents such as video doorbells and locks as well as organising community events aimed at reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
By combining these interventions, the Safer Streets project aims to create a comprehensive approach to tackling local safety issues, ensuring all community members feel safe and supported.
The insights gained from the Youth Listening Project will complement these efforts by highlighting the unique challenges young people face and identifying solutions that are relevant and effective. This approach ensures that any changes made are based on the real experiences of those who live in the area.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for City North Paul Ferguson and Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for City South Steve Dalby said: “The Youth Listening Project is an excellent opportunity for us to hear directly from the young people in our communities about the issues that matter most to them.
“By working together with young people, youth workers, and parents, we can better understand the specific challenges they face and develop more effective strategies to keep them safe.
“This initiative complements our broader efforts under the Safer Streets project to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour across Bulwell and Clifton.
“We are committed to fostering an environment where all young people feel safe and supported, and this project is a crucial step towards that goal.”
The previous round of Safer Streets activity was targeted around the Arboretum, Bestwood and Top Valley and Radford and The Park and - alongside the continuing hard work of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council’s Community Protection Team – helped drive a combined reduction of 56% in house burglary, a 22% fall in vehicle crime, a 36% drop in violence against women and girls in public, and a 16% reduction in antisocial behaviour.
This was in the 12 months from October 2022 when the project started, compared to the previous three-year average.
Safer Streets is an ongoing partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council among other local authorities across Nottinghamshire.
To report antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or visit the web page linked below to report.
Report antisocial behaviour | Nottinghamshire Police
In an emergency, you should always call 999.