Criminal Cash Making A Difference For Bradford's Youth

Thursday 14 February 2013

Money seized from criminals in Bradford is helping to pay for an event which will make the voice of the city's young people heard.

West Yorkshire Police has contributed £850 of Proceeds of Crime Act funding towards the staging of the 'Youth Voice' event, which takes place at Victoria Hall in Saltaire on Saturday (16 February).

Up to 200 young people are expected to attend the event, which aims to discuss plans for a new independent youth council to replace the former Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament.

The event is a joint initiative supported by Young Lives Bradford - the voluntary youth sector network - Bradford Youth Service and young people.

It aims to enable the first steps in creating this new body and drive it forward.

Once established, the new forum will be able to engage with Children's Trust Board partner agencies, which includes Bradford Council, Bradford & Airedale NHS, schools and the police.

Kerr Kennedy, Strategy Development Officer for Young Lives Bradford, said:

"It's really important that Bradford's young people have a forum to articulate their voices, views and opinions on issues of importance to them. Hopefully this will be the starting point for a vibrant new initiative."

Sergeant Paul Robinson, Bradford District Youth and Schools Officer, said:

"This is an excellent use of funds seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. We are using cash taken from negative role models and using it to fund good work to improve the lives of young people across the city.

"A strong youth voice in the district is an important element of policing in all our communities.

"This group of young people will have representation from across Bradford and Keighley and will enable us to consult on a wide range of issues affecting policing and how that impacts upon the lives of young people."

Sergeant Khalid Khan of Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said he welcomed the event and was delighted that the police were able to support it:

"Young people taking an interest and getting involved in community affairs can only be a force for good for Bradford as a whole and I look forward to working with the new forum in the future."