Report raises concerns over young people and crime prevention

Young adults in North Powys could be missing out on vital support to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour because agencies do not fully understand the needs of 18 to 25-year-olds, a new review has found.

A report by the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner's Select Committee has identified a series of shortcomings in the way intervention, prevention and engagement services are delivered to young adults across the force area, which includes Powys. The committee has issued 13 recommendations aimed at improving support and reducing offending among the age group.

The review focused on crime and anti-social behaviour services for people aged 18 to 25 and gathered evidence from young people, police officers, councils and partner organisations. It found that more work is needed to understand offending patterns among young adults and ensure services are targeted effectively.

One of the key recommendations calls on Dyfed-Powys Police to carry out a detailed strategic assessment of crime and anti-social behaviour involving 18 to 25-year-olds. The committee said this would provide a clearer picture of what support and prevention services are required for the age group.

The findings are particularly relevant in North Powys, where towns such as Newtown and Welshpool continue to experience concerns around anti-social behaviour in public spaces. The report suggests that agencies need a better understanding of the drivers of offending and antisocial behaviour among young adults if they are to intervene effectively.

The committee found that many young adults and professionals are unaware of existing support services. It recommends that police, councils and partner organisations do more to promote intervention and prevention programmes and make them easier to access.

Other recommendations include a stronger focus on developing social and emotional skills, promoting healthy relationships, sharing successful approaches between local authority areas and providing clearer evidence that prevention work is having an impact.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said the review had shone a spotlight on an important issue.

"My Select Committee has been able to give an important area a spotlight through our work and to present hopefully impactful recommendations to partners.

"We have listened to young adults' voices throughout this process, which has been key in developing the recommendations around services which may directly affect them and their peers."

The report highlights a wider concern that young adults can fall between youth and adult services, meaning opportunities to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour may be missed. Committee members concluded that stronger partnership working and better information sharing between organisations will be needed to address the issue.

The findings also raise questions about how the success of prevention work is measured. While a range of programmes and initiatives are already operating across Powys, the committee wants clearer evidence that they are delivering positive outcomes for young adults.

The committee's recommendations have now been shared with Dyfed-Powys Police, local authorities and partner organisations for consideration and response.