THE Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a competition for budding young writers to pen their views on policing and community safety.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), is asking young people across West Yorkshire to get creative and write a short story based on their views and experiences of policing and community safety.

The Young People and Policing Story Competition is open to three age categories of under 10 years, 11 to 16 years, and 17-21 years. The PCC’s favourite stories will be featured on his website and social media with one winner receiving a £100 online gift card.

Entries to should be submitted to consultation@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk by 31st July 2020.

“I need to understand everyone’s views in order to inform future work, our strategic direction and that policing is delivering across all of our communities," the PCC said.

“I am very much looking forward to reading the entries and would welcome support from parents, carers, teachers and everyone in raising awareness of this competition.”

What are the competition details?

• Keep your story to one side of A4 or maximum 500 words

• Be creative with your format, structure or layout

• Poetry entries are welcome

• Entries will not be judged on spelling or punctuation, but on the content

• Your views or observations on policing and community safety in West Yorkshire

• You can write about yourself, your friends or your family

• Think about how your experience made you feel

• What messages would you want to communicate to other young people in West Yorkshire?

Mr Burns-Williamson added: “Young people may also be interested in joining my Youth Advisory Group which gives them further opportunities to voice their opinions and views on policing matters and have a more active say on how they are policed in West Yorkshire. Further information about the Group, including how to join, can be found on my website.”

For more information on the competition visit here.