Building trust and safety for Lawrence Hill’s young people
I was pleased to join the Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Forum this week for an important community conversation about safety, trust and the lived experiences of young people in the area. Alongside Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, Chief Constable Sarah Crew, and local community leaders, we listened as residents and young people shared both their concerns and their hopes for the future.
The event was organised by the Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Forum in partnership with Youth Empowerment and Crime Prevention and the Barton Hill Activity Club, and was thoughtfully moderated by Zak Syedomar, CEO of Youth Empowerment and Crime Prevention.
Insights from the Youth Insight Report
Our discussion was shaped by the new Youth Insight Report, produced by Bristol Somali Youth Voice and Greengage, which captures the voices and experiences of Somali young people in Lawrence Hill and East Bristol. Its findings are powerful — and often deeply concerning.
Young people told us they frequently feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods and schools, citing racism, online hostility and fears linked to extremist threats. Many felt their concerns weren’t always taken seriously by adults in positions of authority.
A particularly troubling issue raised on the night was that young girls do not feel safe walking home from school. This mirrors the report’s findings that some young people have been targeted or confronted after school.
This directly connects to one of my core priorities in the Police and Crime Plan: tackling male violence against women and girls. Every girl should feel safe on the streets of her own community — and we all have a responsibility to make that a reality.
Strengths, pride and a desire to be heard
Despite the difficult experiences shared, there was also real pride in the room. Young people and residents spoke positively about their community and their enthusiasm for activities such as cycling and sport. They are not disengaged — they are thoughtful, resilient and eager to be part of the solution.
What they want is consistency: reliable youth provision, safe spaces, and regular opportunities to be genuinely listened to.
Turning listening into action
During the panel, I made clear that listening must lead to action. My commitments include:
- Strengthening partnerships with trusted local organisations
- Supporting visible, culturally aware neighbourhood policing
- Improving the accessibility and transparency of police scrutiny panels
These steps are essential if we are to build long‑term trust and improve safety in meaningful ways.
What I heard in Lawrence Hill reinforced something important: young people are ready to contribute to positive change — and they deserve to be supported, respected and included.
My office will continue working closely with residents, partners and community groups to ensure that their voices shape safer, fairer neighbourhoods, especially for those who feel most vulnerable.
Your voice matters. And it will guide what happens next.
