The report Children’s Voices - PDF 1.3 MB conducted on behalf of her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC), spoke to children who were victims of abuse and neglect and young people who had gone missing. It found that one quarter of the individuals interviewed would not seek police help ‘under any circumstances’.

Inconsistencies in treatment, both within and across the forces mean that a significant majority of the children who participated think that young people are treated unfairly by the police when they respond to concerns about safety or wellbeing.

Issues over respect, communication and a lack of empathy are leading to young people feeling ‘let down’ by the police when they need them most. One young person said:

“Like you don’t want to tell them anything because you know that they are just going to judge you so that’s why most things don’t get reported or most people don’t speak to the police when they need to.”

The report does identify that good practice leads to better outcomes for young people. This is reflected in a small minority of respondents who describe positive experiences epitomised by feelings of support, involvement, the police ‘speaking their language’ and demonstrating empathy.

Dr Helen Beckett, who led the research team for the University of Bedfordshire says:

“Whilst our findings highlight areas of serious concern for the treatment of young people by the police, there were strong indications of what could be done to address these issues. As also indicated by HMIC this morning in their report Missing Children: who cares?”  there are examples of excellent practice across police forces in England and Wales.

“Our research has identified what excellent practice looks like to young people and it is the imperative that HMIC now work with the police to ensure this is employed consistently.”

The characteristics of excellent practice, identified by children and young people themselves include:

• Demonstrating empathy and compassion
• Respectful and non-judgemental practice
• Effectively eliciting and responding to children and young people’s accounts
• Conveying information to children and young people in a timely and appropriate manner
• Due consideration to confidentiality and discretion
• Maximising continuity and engagement
• Considering support needs
• Facilitating choice and control

The research was carried out between July to September 2015 and involved in depth qualitative interviews with 32 children and young people (aged 7 – 19) and survey responses from 13 more across England and Wales. All those who took part had been in contact with the police in relation to one or more concerns about safety or wellbeing.

• The full report - PDF 1.3 MB

ENDS

1. Find out about Dr Helen Beckett and the The International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking
2. To arrange an interview with Dr Helen Beckett please contact the University of Bedfordshire Press Office, Tel: Ulrika Meegolla on 01582 489399 or 07734 981212 or email ulrika.meegolla@beds.ac.uk