A TEENAGER at Wilmslow High School is one of 25 who have been selected by Cheshire Police to represent the county’s youngsters.

Year nine student Joseph Vale has been appointed onto the Cheshire Police Youth Commission, which will hold at least 2,000 conversations with young people on policing issues and projects by next February.

The commission follows a successful pilot scheme, and aims to give a voice to the county’s young people on the direction of policing and crime prevention.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire, said: “Knowing what our young people think is crucial to my policing plan as around a quarter of the county’s population is under 25.

“It’s important they have a voice and this is the ideal platform to get their views and importantly their ideas for tackling issues affecting young people.

“Having representation from such a diverse set of young people will help get the bigger picture, so I’m delighted to support the project and it was fantastic to meet all the young people hear how they want to make a different for their peers.”

Until February 2018, Joseph will provide advice on policing policies and strategies, work on special topics including youth offending or drug abuse, and gather the views of his peers.

He will also plan events for other young people, report back the PCC with his findings, and help to host the Youth Commission Conference next February.

Joseph joined his fellow youth commission members for an official launch event on Saturday, April 29.

Rose Dowling, director of Leaders Unlocked, which coordinates the youth commission, added: “This launch event brought together a diverse group of young adults who are passionate about making a difference to crime and policing in Cheshire.

“They set a clear direction for this year's commission, selecting the priorities they most want to tackle.

“We look forward to supporting this group to gather and represent the views of 2000 young people in their communities this year.”

Last year’s youth commission report can be found at cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/media/88716/cheshire-youth-commission-final-report-january-2017.pdf