PSNI earn award for work with youth

‘Street Talk’, a PSNI project in partnership with the Playhouse International Culture Arts Network (ICAN), was designed to break down the barriers between young people and the PSNI to gain a better understanding of the issues that concern local youth, including anti-social behaviour and sectarianism.

Using various forms of artistic expression young people were able to develop their skills with the help of professional artists in a month long course last summer. They were also able to show police officers how to create impressive graffiti art and how they communicate their views through music, DJ’ing and animation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the PSNI, Sergeant Sam Young said, “To win the award is overwhelming but working with the young people from across the North West was a privilege from start to finish and I dedicate this award to them. This project was a success because of their participation.

“We set out to achieve better communication with the kids, so they could approach us to discuss the issues that matter most to them and the project achieved this and more. It broke down perceptions and barriers and we were able to learn from the young people, which was very important to us.”

Deputy Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie who visited the project last August said, “I am absolutely delighted that this fantastic initiative has been rewarded in this way. I was struck, when I visited, by the quality of the work of the young people on display. It was really excellent.

“Research has identified that children and young people can have very different experiences of the police, depending where they live and this project has provided the opportunity for police officers and young people to work directly with each other to share experiences, break down barriers and create greater understanding.

“This has been a very positive initiative which has changed perceptions both on the part of police officers and young people - and I would want to add my congratulations to all concerned.”

The PSNI project was ‘Highly Commended’ in the category, Putting Young People at the Forefront. Presenting the award the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney said,

“These awards are for government departments and public bodies who demonstrate they have involved children and young people in planning services and in the decisions that affect their lives

“Congratulations are due to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Strand Road on being Highly Commended and for their ongoing work in involving children and young people in what they do.

Eve Malcomson, A NICCY Awards Youth Panel member said,

“The Street Talk project worked with 48 young people from interface areas in the North West or who have a history of offending, or are at risk of engaging in offending behaviours.

“It is clear that through effective participation, PSNI Strand Road based this service on the actual needs of the young people in interface areas which has created a more efficient and adapted service for them.