Local police met with young volunteers to strengthen crime prevention efforts and recruit more young people to the Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD) during a recruitment drive and meeting on March 11.

Social crime prevention and communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi steered the meeting that was held in the police station’s boardroom and attended by the CPF deputy chairperson Simon Mabuse, and YCPD members.

Buthelezi started by explaining comprehensively the objective of the youth desk, which she said is to empower young people to actively participate in preventing crime and promoting safety in their community.

Old and new members were welcomed and provided with a document outlining every important information about the YCPD, including their responsibilities, conduct, and stakeholders they are to work with.

“Members were encouraged to conduct recruitment drives to get most of the youth within the community to form part and participate in crime prevention. The youth desk members were requested to present their planned events calendar for every month as part of their crime prevention strategy and youth development,” said Buthelezi.

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The YCPD is a volunteer-based initiative that engages the youth in identifying the causes of crime and developing social crime prevention strategies within the community.

This desk is based at the police station and operates in collaboration with the SAPS, CPF, government stakeholders, and local organisations.

The YCPD programme emphasises youth participation, empowerment, and active citizenship with the aim of reducing both victimisation and perpetration among young people.

According to Buthelezi, key objectives of the YCPD are youth mobilisation, crime prevention through social development, collaboration with authorities, and community projects.

These objectives are achieved through activities and programmes that are interactive and educational, such as school visits and workshops, youth patrols, substance abuse prevention, and GBV&F awareness.

The YCPD has, over the years proven to be effective in youth empowerment and taking responsibility for their communities. Young people are encouraged to join the YCPD at the police station and take part in promoting community safety and making a tangible difference in crime prevention efforts.

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