This week RGP officers were at Bayside School to talk about issues affecting young  people. This is the 5th forum the RGP’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has organised at the  school in the past few weeks and follows talks to pupils in years 7, 8, 9 and 12. 

A statement from the RGP follows below:

Year 10 pupils were invited to the hour-long forum where they discussed topics  including anti-social behaviour, underage drinking, drug use and their place in the  local community. 

This is the 5th forum the RGP’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has organised at the  school in the past few weeks and follows talks to pupils in years 7, 8, 9 and 12. 

It’s hoped the forum will help generate some new ideas on how the police deal with  issues involving young people and the wider community.  

One suggestion put forward by pupils, in response to recent reports of vandalism  and littering in Varyl Begg Estate, is for them to take responsibility for clearing the  area of rubbish at the end of lunch.  

This would show the residents that not all those who wear the school uniforms have  no respect and that they should not all be tarred with the same brush, because of a  minority of individuals who create issues in the area. 

Another idea from the students was awareness talks in the school by someone who  can explain how criminal convictions had negatively impacted on their and their  families lives. 

Sgt Calum Bruce, who chaired the meeting alongside PC Nicholas Ramagge and  Caroline Dixon from the Youth Service, said: “If this is a general cross section of  Gibraltar’s youth, then it’s fair to say we were impressed by their openness, honesty  and the maturity in which they articulated their ideas. 

“They also explained their views on both legal (alcohol) and illegal drugs, and the  changing views on their impact on communities. The topic of how much they are  influenced by their parents and those around them, in their behaviours as they 

mature, was discussed, with them adding that the adults in their lives need to take  responsibility and lead by example, giving them positive role models to emulate.”  

Sgt Bruce added that social media was also having a huge impact on the lives of  youngsters, who highlighted that they are constantly exposed to negative news,  which they said affected how they see the world. 

“We hope to continue using this forum with all schools and all age groups in the  coming months,” he continued. 

“We’ll use this feedback to help us better understand how the RGP and other  agencies interact with Gibraltar’s youth.”