Police powers should be reduced and a ‘community-led approach’ to violence among young people adopted instead, according to campaigners.
A report by nine organisations working in human rights, youth services, racial justice, mental health and policing calls for end to school exclusions and the removal of police from schools, and an increase in funding for youth services and mental health initiatives.
Holding Our Own: A guide to non-policing solutions to serious youth violence says education is central to the fight against serious youth violence and calls for a ‘radical rethink’ of how the Government tackles the issue.
The report comes as polling revealed that more than two thirds of people want the Government to look for solutions to the root causes of youth violence rather than relying on policing.
More than three-quarters of those in the poll by Walnut Unlimited earlier this year said they were concerned about sexism and racism in policing.
Martha Spurrier, director of human rights group Liberty, said: ‘This report shows an alternative is possible.
‘By rolling back police powers and investing in the solutions that our communities need, we can ensure that no young person is subjected to abuse of power by the police, and that everyone is given the best chance in life.’
