Young people come together to debate the future of policing

Around 80 young people from across the country gathered to reimagine policing at a landmark Hope Hack event in Coventry.

Five violence reduction units teamed up with the Hope Collective, UK Youth, the National Citizen Service, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, the National Black Police Association, West Midlands Police and the Police Race Action Plan for the event earlier this week.

Hope Hack events offer a platform for young people to debate and create solutions for issues that matter to them. Led and hosted by young people, the events feature panel discussions, performances and workshops where participants develop their proposals for change.

The Hope Collective, formed to support the 20th-anniversary legacy campaign for Damilola Taylor, has organised over 30 similar events nationwide. The Coventry event marked the first time Hope Hack focused on a single issue: the future of policing.

Jermaine Jackman, former winner of BBC’s The Voice, delivered a keynote talk. Young people suggested prioritising mental health, mutual respect and awareness of their rights regarding stop and search.

Hope Collective Chair, Professor Niven Rennie, said: “This was the 33rd Hope Hack we have delivered across the UK and we think it’s possibly the most important yet. ‘Hope Hacks’ are youth led events – led by young people for young people. We put young people at the front and centre of the conversation and ask them to define a fairer society. 

“I spent the vast majority of my career as a police officer. I know the problems the police face but I also know that many of our communities have significant vulnerabilities and that these need to be taken extremely seriously. After all, the cornerstone of the British policing system is the need for the police to undertake their duties with the consent of the public. 

“Our young people have a legitimate right to have their voice heard in this respect and to define that level of ‘consent’ from their standpoint. 

“A wonderful team of people from across several police regions and from many of our violence reduction units have been worked with the Hope Collective and the Police Race Action Plan to ensure that this event was a great success and that the voices of our young people can be heard.”

The five violence reduction units involved were the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network, the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership, the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership and the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

“The Hope Hack is a remarkable concept and I have seen firsthand just how powerful their work is in putting young people front and centre of the conversation on huge issues facing society, including the future of policing.

“Meaningful engagement with young people is a big part of what we are trying to deliver through the plan and we are grateful for the support of all the groups here today to help us do that.”

Police Race Action Plan programme director T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari.

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