Four Rathbone peer mentors from Hackney will inspect a warm welcome from top cops when they make the case for young people at a special meeting with the Metropolitan Police.

Nadeem Ahmed, Sufia Begum, Kamran Hussain and Shaima Patel have been working on a project with local schools to put issues surrounding youngsters and crime under the magnifying glass. And if the evidence of a March meeting with former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is anything to go by – their presentation should rank highly.

Run by the Sorrell Foundation, the Designing Out Crime project has seen Rathbone join forces with Robert Clark School in Dagenham and Northolt High School to canvass young peoples’ views on everything from the lack of youth clubs to how to resist the peer pressure to become involved in crime.

The Rathbone quartet focused their attention on what goes on after school. Under headings such as, ‘Boredom’, ‘Belongings’ and ‘Danger’ they examined what motivated young people to break the law. Amongst their solutions were better communication between police and the community, more job opportunities and improved facilities. They also pressed the case for the media to highlight a more positive image of young people.

Selina Rahman, Lifetracks Team Leader at Rathbone Hackney said: “Projects such as Designing out Crime have inspired many young people and has enabled them to understand the barriers other young people face. It has also allowed Rathbone to be a part of a great initiative and future involvement in projects such as this is sought after.”

Lee Willows, Rathbone’s Director for London and South East added: “I also congratulate the efforts made by young people and to our staff for working so hard to showcase positively, young people’s achievements. As Selina Rahman says we are always seeking new partnerships to specifically move our work forward in the Capital. We believe working together we can give a better life change for many of the thousands of young people we work with each year, so if this story has inspired you to join us, or if you want to know more about our work specifically in Greater London, do email us through the main Rathbone website - we would love to hear from you.”

Pictured is former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith with the young people from the Designing Out Crime scheme.