28 May 2023
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn is calling on young people to share their views and experiences of mental health issues, alcohol and drugs misuse, and youth offending, at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery this week.
The Dyfed-Powys Youth Engagement Forum, along with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, launched ‘Y Sgwrs’ consultation in January, to hear from 14 to 24-year-olds living in each of the Dyfed Powys Police’s local authorities, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys.
‘Y Sgwrs’ (a Welsh title meaning ‘The Conversation’) invited young people and professionals working with young people, to share their experiences of issues such as mental health, youth offending and substance misuse through an online survey and focus groups held by the youth forum.
As part of the consultation, teenagers and young adults were asked to explain what is working, what doesn’t and how things might be improved.
The last stage of the consultation will be to ask young people at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery to share their views, before responses are reviewed ahead of a Youth Conference PCC Dafydd Llywelyn is to hold in July to share the findings with partners.
There will be a designated space at Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police’s stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod where young people can share their thoughts, views and ideas, and by doing so, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn says that young people can ‘influence’ and ‘challenge decision-making’ and ensure that the communities of Dyfed-Powys have a Police Force that successfully safeguards children and young people and promotes their wellbeing.
PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I have always had a passion for building a strong relationship with young people and want to better understand what leads some young people to crime and disorder and how they can be helped to make positive choices in life.
“I want to ensure that each and every young person has a voice in the future of policing. I want to know what they feel our priorities should be? What impact does crime have on them and their community? What do we need to change?
“With the Urdd Eisteddfod being one of the largest youth festivals in Europe, which is this year visiting us in Carmarthenshire, I wanted to ensure that we were here, along with Dyfed-Powys Police, listening to young people’s views and experiences so that they can have an influence on our decision making”.
Dyfed-Powys Police as well as the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will be located on stand number 88-90 at the Eisteddfod field in Llandovery from Monday 29th of May until Saturday 3rd of June, with also representatives from the Youth Forum in attendances during the week.
ENDS
Further information:
Gruff Ifan
Head of Communications and Engagement
