Vox pop 2009

Crime and Safety Q&A

Q. Young people do not feel safe at night in their local areas, as there is often little or no lighting. How can the lighting be improved, especially in parks and alleys? Karl, NWLYC

(DP) There are many campaigns to turn off lighting at the moment. If this is a wide issue CYCLe should let the Council know.

(EW) Responsibility for lighting goes all the way down to Parish Council level. You should approach the local councils about specific campaigns.

(DW) In some areas of Hinckley we are trying to close alleys to reduce this risk. We’re also introducing better lighting.

Young people suggested that lighting doesn’t need to be on all of the time but especially in the winter when it’s getting dark early. It may also be worth considering which lights need to be on for safety when deciding which ones to turn off.

Tim mentioned that movement triggered lights might be introduced in his area soon. DP was not aware this was an option and will look into it.

Q. Young people get a lot of bad press. How can the County Council help to improve the image of young people? Tom, MYC

(DP) “Young people in Leicestershire are some of the best in the Country! I am always telling people [nationally and in Europe] how good young people are in the County.”

(EW) Suggested that the County will help to train the Youth Council Press Officers to get the best out of the press and publicity.

(IO) The Council does try to deliver good news stories to the press but they often don’t want to know. They will often turn a positive story about 98% of young people into a negative story about the other 2%.

(DW) This definitely needs to be improved.

(Millie) We do need to fight the bad image. HBYC has sent many strongly worded letters to the Hinckley Times and the Leicester Mercury. Since then the Hinckley Times has invited members of the youth council to edit their own story at the new paper’s office and they now have a strong relationship with them.

Emily believes the Council needs to help the fight too. DP said that if it’s help and support that you want we will give it!

IO suggested that we consider radio too. He reminded members that change isn’t going to happen over night but if we stick with it then it will happen.

Dan tried to contact the Leister Mercury about Vox pop but they were not interested.

Action: LCC to provide PR support to Youth Councils

Q. Harborough Youth Council are trying to provide a footpath along a road. What is the best course of action to achieve this? Tim, HYC

(EW) The best option is to do a petition – this will get it on to the right list then it will happen eventually (though it may take a long while).

(IO) Work with the Parish Council. IO is working with 3 parish councils in Hinckley & Bosworth to get a rural footway, there’s a lot of support from the Borough Council and they’ve managed to reduce the cost by doing much of the preparation work themselves.

(Tim) We’ve already got a petition in progress; where should we take it when it’s finished?

(DP) Give it to your local member in person [so that it doesn’t get lost].

Q. What is currently being done to reduce drink and drugs on the streets? Do you feel this is adequate? How may this be further improved? Leighton, BYC

(IO) The Youth Impact Project is helping young people by giving them something else to do.

DP strongly objects to a society of people who run around at night under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He fears for the safety of people on the streets.

Martin mentioned that it is the Borough / District’s responsibility to clean up the streets – they often have hotlines you can ring and to report litter and they have targets of how quickly they will respond.

One young person said that it’s not just the streets – drugs are in schools too.

DP said that he will work with IO to get to the bottom of that; drugs should not be in schools.

Another young person believes that the Community Support Officers don’t have enough power as they can only take the drink away from people who then run away from them, as they cannot charge them.

DP supports CSOs and suggested that they consider giving them more power.

Note: In some areas relationships between the police and young people need improving