by Ashley Fontaine, Young People Programmes Manager. 

It goes without saying that young people, like everyone else, should both feel safe and be safe. As Young People’s Programme Manager, my role is to amplify voices often sidelined in debates about community safety. 

Earlier this month, I represented Neighbourhood Watch Network at the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee. The session focused on neighbourhood policing and the experiences of young Londoners. The Committee examined how the Met keeps young people safe, engages with them, and whether their voices are heard. From Committee discussions to national surveys and our own youth consultations, the picture is mixed.  

Safety and trust: a mixed picture  

Through our 2025 Speak Up! consultation, we heard directly from young Londoners about their experiences of safety and policing. Their answers were honest, often challenging, and reflective of wider national research: 

  • Safety feels uneven. Just over half of our respondents said they feel “very” or “mostly” safe in their area, while others cited fears of theft, knife crime, and harassment. Nationally, MOPAC’s We Are London survey (2021–22, 11,800 young people) found areas are perceived as safer for men and boys than for women and girls. Similarly, a Survation poll (March–April 2025, 1,528 women, ITV News) found that 68% of 18–24-year-olds feel unsafe on London streets. 

  • Trust is fragile. While over half of our respondents said they completely trust their local police, many were only somewhat trusting or unsure. Not one young person felt their voices are always heard. Trust also varies depending on individual experiences and cultural background: only 36% of Black children and teens say they trust the police, compared with 73% overall, highlighting persistent inequalities that neighbourhood policing must address. 

  • Schools matter. Over 75% said police should have a role in schools. Young people see schools as vital spaces for engagement and prevention, not just enforcement. 

Policing in schools: divided opinions 

The future of Safer Schools Officers is uncertain amid recent cuts. Yet, what’s clear from our consultation is that young people are strongly in favour of proactive, supportive – not punitive – police engagement in schools. As one participant put it:  

“Engage with [young] people in person to hear their concerns. It also helps with building trust.”  

Jessica West, Principal at Ark Walworth Academy, echoed this support for police presence in schools, powerfully emphasising that schools cannot shoulder safety alone. Trusted officers help mediate, de-escalate, and prevent crises. Without them, many young people lose a vital source of reassurance. National findings from Safer Schools Partnerships also show that relationship-building in schools is key to young people’s sense of safety. 

Building trust through relationships  

Omar Alleyne-Lawler of Hope in Haringey reminded us that young people respond to authenticity. They notice when officers are consistent, caring, and genuinely present, and disengage when interactions feel transactional. Building trust takes time and requires a visible, local presence, not just reactive policing. 

Notably, when asked what they would change about policing, the young people we surveyed suggested: 

  • “Kinder police officers.” 
  • “More communication about what arrests are being made and why.” 
  • “More visible presence around the neighbourhood and schools.” 

Trust is built in small, everyday encounters. Young people want humanity, transparency, and a policing presence they can see and rely on. 

Looking ahead 

The government plans 13,000 new neighbourhood officers nationally by 2029, with London reportedly benefiting further through the Mayor’s 2025–29 Police and Crime Plan. More visible, accessible neighbourhood policing could restore confidence, but only if investment is paired with training, community partnerships, and accountability. 

Neighbourhood Watch Network aims to support this mission by creating spaces for young Londoners and beyond to share their views and co-create solutions. Safety isn’t something done to young people — it must be shaped with them. This means: 

  • Expanding youth forums and advisory groups so young people influence decisions. 
  • Supporting creative, community-led initiatives beyond enforcement. 
  • Gathering honest feedback to hold policing bodies accountable. 

Trust grows in everyday interactions. Neighbourhood policing can be that reassurance, but only if young people are genuinely heard, respected, and empowered as equal partners.