Children and young people the topic at this month’s Police Question Time 

This week, I hosted Police Question Time (PQT), putting questions to Chief Constable Sarah Crew. PQT is a session designed to scrutinise policing delivery and performance across the region. 

The focus was on children and young people. The public submitted questions in advance, including one from a young resident who asked, ‘Why is there police brutality towards young people?’ 

In response, Chief Constable Sarah Crew explained that the law allows the police to use force when it’s reasonable and proportionate to do so, but only when it’s absolutely necessary. There are occasions where police use of force is reasonably used when dealing with children and young people. Sarah went on to explain what using force means as it covers a wide range of uses from physical restraint, to arresting someone, or using handcuffs. 

Sarah also highlighted that every time force is used by an officer, they are under a duty to record it. She confirmed that officers receive training to consider the voice of the child to understand a situation from a child’s perspective, so they can tailor their behaviour and how they deal with the situation. 

Another question I asked Sarah was around young people being sent to young offender institutions. I asked Sarah to explain how the police divert young people away from the criminal justice system where appropriate. Sarah explained the police try not to criminalise young people under 18, and instead try to look at the reasons behind their behaviour. She also discussed the use of out of court resolutions to divert children and young people. 

I also asked Sarah to respond to what she is doing to make sure all neighbourhood policing teams are acting in a trauma informed way; through the new geographic model she is putting in place. 

You can watch back to see Sarah’s answers in full and view the other questions asked on my YouTube channel.  

The next Police Question Time will take place on 22 October from 11:30am to 12.