PCC’s Youth Commission says prioritising education is key to tackling youth violence

The growing issue of youth violence will top the agenda for the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission this year.

Commission members put their suggestions to senior police officers and partner organisations, including local authorities, schools and charities, at their annual Recommendations Conference.

The Youth Commission is made up of 14-25 year olds who have a strong passion for social and criminal justice. Last year its outreach and engagement programmes reached over 7,000 young people, enabling the Commission to make change, influence policy, and have a positive impact on how young people interact with the police.

This week’s event in Hedge End gave professionals from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight a chance to come together and hear powerful testimonies from young people about the issues that matter most to them.

PCC Donna Jones said: “I am committed to making sure the best policing is delivered to our communities which means we rightly need to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds.

“That’s why it’s so important for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to hear first-hand from our young people on the issues they deem most important.

“Their contribution is vital if we are to build trust and confidence in policing and the Youth Commission enables them to do that.”

Each year, the Youth Commission collates concerns and ideas via its Big Conversation and presents them at the conference.

Following responses from over 1200 young people, the top priority in 2026 will be youth violence. Tackling bullying and discrimination and violence against women and girls are also high on its agenda.

Youth Commission recommendations include more support for early intervention, increased education on social responsibility and the consequences of crime, and positive school-based interactions with police officers.

PCC Donna Jones added: “We all have the right to feel safe on our streets and these passionate young people are working extremely hard to create positive change.

“I’m really grateful for all the work they do to inform, challenge and support me in my role as Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Speaking at the conference, Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: “Hearing the voices of young people, their experiences, concerns, and ideas gives me and my colleagues real motivation.

“Policing is a unique mission, and it is one we can only deliver effectively by working alongside young people on the issues that matter most to them.

“It is a challenging time to grow up. Society feels increasingly polarised, serious violence is a genuine concern, and the online world brings with it a range of threats and harms. Understanding these experiences and concerns are integral to how we deliver policing.

“It has been excellent to hear how the Local Bobby scheme is resonating with younger communities and that police visibility remains a top priority. The opportunity to develop approaches that resonate with young people is invaluable and I look forward to working together to help find solutions that stand the test of time, and make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the safest they can be.”

A recent Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Youth Engagement audit showed that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is the only OPCC area to offer a fully established Youth Independent Advisory Group, a long‑running Youth Commission with consistently high impact, and a nationally recognised Youth Ambassador scheme – demonstrating the strongest and most comprehensive youth engagement model of any OPCC in the country.

To find out more about the PCC’s Youth Commission, visit Youth Commission – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner