YOUNG people in Blackburn are helping to shape the county’s crime strategy.

The four Young Leaders, from the town’s £6million Youth Zone in Jubilee Street, were invited to give a presentation about crime and the victims of crime to the police and crime commissioner, Clive Grunshaw.

The ‘Listen Learn Act’ event was at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, in Clayton-le-Moors and followed previous consultations at the Youth Zone. More than 150 people saw the Young Leaders have their say on how crime is tackled in Lancashire.

Mo Sheik, 19, said: “It was a really informative day. We worked through lots of scenarios and came up with ideas and suggestions on how to support victims of crime, from a young person’s point of view.”

“I found out about services I never knew existed. It was good to have an input into something so important and a privilege for me to be a voice for young people.”

The young people were accompanied by Youth Zone programme manager Leigh Culverwell. She said: “It was a great platform for young people’s opinions and for those opinions to count.

“Young Leaders want to make a positive difference to our community and, by shaping policy and being a voice for young people all over Lancashire, we really will make a difference.”

The Lancashire Telegraph is urging readers to support its Teen Leader appeal to create 100 Young Leaders. To donate to the appeal or to find out more about the Young Leader programme, call 01254 292001 or visit www.blackburnyz.org.