A SEARCH has began for people aged between 14-25 to have their say on how police interact with young people.

As part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG) review, 14 to 25-year-olds are wanted to give their views on how police interact with young people in relation to the use of drugs.

The Strategic Youth Independent Advisory Group was set up to review and challenge policing practices to help make improvements to the service and is made up of 19 volunteers.

Currently looking at the issue of substance misuse in terms of police practices, the group says it is keen to hear from anyone within the age range whether they have had a positive or negative experience.

The information will be used to create a report, which will be presented to Hampshire police, alongside suggestions for how their methods can be improved.

Any responses can be sent to the YIAG mailbox youthiag@hampshire.police.uk.

The deadline for responses is the February 28.

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It is so important that the police and I are connected to young people, and that we hear what they think and feel about the issues that matter to them.

"The way police interact with young people in relation to illegal substances is vital because drugs and alcohol wreak havoc on so many lives, not only in terms of risks to health and the possibility of addiction but in the behaviours that can follow as a result such as theft and violence or being drawn into gangs and county lines.”