Charities help appoint 18 young people to a Police Scotland advisory panel to build a better relationship between the two

Young people in Scotland are to be given a say on police policies in a bid to create a better relationship between the two groups.

Charities, Young Scot and YouthLink have teamed up with Police Scotland to create the new Police Scotland Youth Advisory Panel, made up of 18 young people who will directly liaise with the country’s cops.

The 18 panel members will meet with Police Scotland to offer advice on how policies affect young people as well as to challenge policies and help come up with new ways the police can communicate with them to improve the, often strained, relationship.

Young Scot has been working with Police Scotland since it came into being in April 2013, to look at ways it could be doing things better and argued for young people’s views to be given more consideration.

An important part of that partnership is the establishment of the panel.

The Police Scotland Youth Advisory Panel puts Scotland’s young people at the heart of policing

Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “The Police Scotland Youth Advisory Panel is a pioneering initiative that puts Scotland’s young people at the heart of policing.

“By working with key influencers and decision-makers at Police Scotland, it’s a chance for young people to help improve communication, directly input to strategic planning and policy changes and ultimately shape the future of the police service in Scotland.”

One of the first appointments to the panel was 15-year-old Amy Cassley of Fife.

She said she joined to be part of something where she feels she can make changes to her community and to be a voice for young people.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson added: "Police Scotland wishes to thank these young people for giving up their time to take part in this ground-breaking initiative.

“They will help Police Scotland ensure we consider the needs of young people in developing policy and communicating with them to assist us in our work to keep people safe."