A Dundee teenager who sits in the Scottish Youth Parliament has backed a police and council initiative to tackle violence involving young people.
Operation Islington was launched on Friday, aimed at tackling anti-social and violent behaviour in the city in the wake of a number of high profile incidents involving young people in Dundee
Sharroz Hussein, who represents Dundee West at the Scottish Youth Parliament, believes the move is designed to improve the relationship between young people and the police, rather than criminalise teenagers.
Mr Hussein met with Chief Inspector Nicola Russell and community and public protection convener Councillor Alan Ross to discuss the partnership.
The meeting ended with the police agreeing to liaise further with youth programmes, colleges and universities in a positive manner, according to the young parliamentarian.
He said relationships between many young people in the city and the police were strained, but by working together this could be resolved.
“This is an important issue as many young people often have negative views of the police and a lot of young people tend not to report crime due to this fractured relationship,” he said.
“This in turn not only prevents the police from doing their jobs but could also put young people in dangerous situations.
“I was also made aware of Operation Islington by Inspector Russell and believe it is a great initiative to tackling underage drinking and to help protect young people.
“Some of the suggestions I made for better links include more community events involving the police as well as a greater emphasis on clearer communication between young witnesses and victims with the police in order to encourage young people to report crimes.”
A spate of alleged incidents involving young males in Dundee have come to light recently.
On Monday a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old appeared from custody in Dundee Sheriff Court charged with the serious assault of a taxi driver.
Bruce Wesbter made no plea and was committed for further examination before being released on bail in connection with an assault said to have taken place on Park Avenue in December.
The 16-year-old co-accused, who cannot be named because of his age, also made no plea and was committed for further examination before being released on bail on the same date.
Their appearance at court follows the arrest and remand of three teens who stand accused of causing the death of Dundee man John Watt, 50.
Mr Watt died from a head injuries allegedly sustained as the result of an attack on Albert Street on January 6.
As part of Operation Islington, taxi drivers in Dundee have been asked to help identify potential “party flats” — a move which was met with suspicion from some in the industry, who said it was not their job to “police” the activities of their fares.
The Scottish Youth Parliament is a democratically elected young persons body, with representatives aged 14-25 from all 32 local authority areas, established in 1999.
