CELEBRATIONS are in order as the new Youth Commissioners have begun their two-year term representing young people across the region.
A record number of almost 4,000 votes were cast by young people to decide their representatives.
The new cohort was selected following a competitive application process that received 69 applications across a five-week period, which was subsequently whittled down to 35 candidates for the election process.
A total of 16 candidates will serve the Local Policing Areas (LPAs) across the West Midlands with two commissioners per area.
Casey Kimberley and Shona Farmah represent Coventry and Esa Mohammed and Skye Donovan will represent Solihull.
The Youth Commissioners will play a vital role in ensuring the voices and priorities of young people are heard by the Commissioner and West Midlands Police.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster welcomed the new commissioners and underlined the critical nature of their work.
Mr Foster said: “Young people are not just the future of the West Midlands. They are also our present. Their insight is invaluable.
“I believe firmly in their potential and ensuring they have a powerful voice at this crucial time, is one of my key priorities.
“My Youth Commissioners will represent their peers, ensuring their concerns are not only heard, but actioned, so as to shape the future of policing and crime prevention in our communities.”
The PCC’s commitment to young people extends beyond the Youth Commissioner programme.
He provides £330,000 a year from proceeds of crime and that includes investment towards valuable youth projects via his My Community Fund, and his office supports young people, including through the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) and the My Tomorrow campaign, which aims to empower, encourage, support and inspire young people.
