A pioneering project that aims to give younger people a stronger voice on policing has been revealed as a finalist in a national crime awards.

The Dragon’s Den-style Project 8 saw teenagers from six schools across Ashfield showcasing their ideas to promote mental health and wellbeing and tackle pressing issues such as cyber-bullying.

The students went in front of a high-profile panel of ‘dragons’, including the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, David Sneath, at Kirkby College.

The winning team, Ashfield School in Kirkby, received £1,000 to transform its ideas into reality at the school.

The project was set up ten years ago to encourage young people to think and talk about crime and anti-social behaviour, with a specific theme chosen each year.

Last year’s theme of mental health saw experts from Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people, work alongside pupils and staff in all of Ashfield’s secondary schools to raise awareness of the issue.

Project 8, delivered and part -funded by Nottinghamshire County Council, is one of two local projects to be finalist at the National Crimebeat Awards in April.

The other is Nottinghamshire Youth Commission’s Know Your Rights film.

The projects — both of which received funding from Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping and give young people a stronger role to play in public safety — are in line for a possible £1,000 top prize in recognition of their contribution to keeping Nottinghamshire safe.

National Crimebeat is the youth crime prevention charity of the High Sheriff’s Association of England and Wales, which is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary.

The organisation hosts an awards ceremony in London annually to recognise the most innovative and successful crime prevention projects nationally that are delivered by young people.

Paddy Tipping said: “I’ve been impressed by the maturity and professionalism shown by all the young people involved in these winning projects and value greatly their support.

Coun Gordon Wheeler, vice-chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community and Place Committee, said: “If we provide learning opportunities for young people to have space to be innovative and channel their natural entrepreneurial talents, they address key issues head on.”

Know Your Rights highlights young people’s rights in stop and search procedures.

The film, screened at schools and colleges as part of a roadshow to educate young people on stop and search, was developed from feedback from young people who said they were unsure of their rights if they were stopped and searched by police.
Building on the awards success, Dragon’s Den-style Project 9 is under way, joining forces with Young Minds, Emerge, the Arts Council and Spirit 2012.

Students from Quarrydale Academy, Sutton, and Kirkby College are working on a youth-led community festival to promote resilience and community cohesion, which is planned to take place over 20th and 21st April.

The student-led festival campaigns will be pitched to a Dragon’s Den-style judging panel and the local community on 20th April at the Acacia Centre, Kirkby.

It is part of the Emerge festival on 21st April at Mansfield Palace Theatre, the Old Library and Mansfield Museum.