Schoolchildren in south Oxfordshire will today have the chance to shape the future of policing in the county in a series of consultation events.

Hazel Bell, chairman of Thames Valley Police Authority’s Oxfordshire police committee, together with South Oxfordshire District Council officers and Thames Valley Police schools officers, will be asking young people if they think current policing priorities in their town or village match their own.

The first events will take place today, at St Birinus School and Didcot Girls’ School.

Events are also planned for Lord Williams’s school in Thame, Watlington School, Gillotts School in Henley and Wallingford School before the Christmas break.

Mother-of-three Mrs Bell has sat on the police authority for 18 months and introduced the youth consultation events after a series of engagement events held throughout the Thames Valley earlier this year did not include as many young people as the authority wanted.

She hopes the schools events will help Neighbourhood Action Group prioritise young people’s concerns as well as those of older members of the community.

Mrs Bell said: “We are really pleased secondary schools in South Oxfordshire have agreed to support these events and give us an opportunity to meet young people and gain a better understanding of what worries them when they are out and about in their towns and villages.

“The feedback from the events will be used to help us to develop both our local and forcewide policing plans.

“It will also help the Neighbourhood Action Groups to identify local policing priorities and South Oxfordshire District Council to develop community safety plans and networking events for young people.”