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The Mayor's Young Communities Network

West Yorkshire has nearly 1 million young people. It's vital they have a say in policing to help make the area Safe, Just, and Inclusive.

A young woman sat down, with text reading "Meet Anja, Member of the Mayor's Young Communities Network"

Are you a young person and interested in Policing, Crime and Community Safety in West Yorkshire?

Would you like to advise the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime? 

Do you want a say in how West Yorkshire is Policed? 

Your voice is important to us – help us make change! 

The Mayor’s Young Communities Network is a group of young people, aged 12-25 who live, work or study in West Yorkshire.

A young man sat down, with text reading "Meet Harvey, Member of the Mayor's Young Communities Network"

The group’s objectives are to:

  • Advise on policing, crime and community safety issues; including policing practice, strategy and policy. 
  • Inform the Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, West Yorkshire Police and decision makers across West Yorkshire. 
  • Represent your community on policing and crime issues.
  • Help to build better relationships between young people, the police and communities.

The voices of children and young people should be at the heart of our decision‑making, and the Young Communities Network is a fantastic forum to be heard. Their experiences and insights will inform our approach to crime and community safety across the region, allowing us to deliver the support and services they need. By involving young people directly in the issues that affect their lives, we can build a safer, fairer West Yorkshire for everyone.

Tracy Brabin

Mayor of West Yorkshire

The work of the Mayor’s Young Communities Network is important because it gives young people a voice in the decisions that affect them. The Youth Conference was great as it gave young people the chance to voice their concerns about issues within their local community and young people and members of the community the chance to listen to what the Mayor and policing partners are doing to tackle issues within West Yorkshire.

Patrique

A member of the Mayor’s Young Communities Network from Kirklees

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Being a member of the Mayor’s Young Communities Network has shown me that the opinions and ideas of young people are meaningful to the Mayor. During the year, we have interesting meetings on different topics, including serious crime, digital crime and methods for reducing crime and their effectiveness from a young person’s perspective. As a Law with Criminology student, I have gained a range of valuable experiences through my involvement over the past three to four years, including speaking at the Mayor’s Youth Conference in February 2024. I value being part of the Mayor’s Young Communities Network and take pride in participating and contributing towards this commendable cause.

Sana

A Youth Advisory Group member from Kirklees

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Frequently asked questions

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Join The Mayor's Young Communities Network

Thank you for your interest in joining the Mayor's Young Communities Network!

In order to get you signed up we would like to know a bit more about you and your policing and crime interests.

To join the Mayor's Young Communities Network, you must:

  • Live, work or study in West Yorkshire
  • Be aged between 12 - 25 
  • Have parental consent if you are under the age of 18