Story Highlight
– New study focuses on youth perceptions of public safety.
– Young people will act as peer researchers in project.
– Participants use photography to express safety feelings.
– Recommendations will be presented to local decision-makers.
– Project aims to enhance youth safety and support.
Full Story
A comprehensive new research initiative has been launched to gain insights into how young people perceive safety in public areas and to determine how trusted adults, including educators, community workers, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals, can play a role in preventing serious youth violence. This project is a collaborative effort involving the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, supported by funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of the Three Schools Prevention programme.
The persistence of serious youth violence—often manifesting through gang-related activity or the use of firearms and knives—has had a deep impact on individuals, families, and wider communities across the UK. Despite various government interventions aimed at tackling this pressing issue, many young people report feelings of insecurity in their everyday environments.
Traditionally, research focusing on safety has been shaped by the perceptions of adults. This groundbreaking study aims to shift the spotlight onto the voices of young people themselves, exploring how they perceive safety, the factors influencing their feelings, and the type of support they require from adults tasked with their welfare, such as teachers, youth workers, and health professionals.
The research crew plans to engage closely with local organisations in cities such as London and Bristol. A key feature of this study involves the recruitment and training of young individuals as peer researchers, who will be instrumental in framing the research direction. Through their active involvement, these young researchers will contribute to designing study activities, planning engagement sessions, and participating in community workshops.
One of the innovative methodologies employed in the study is Photovoice, a technique that empowers young individuals to express their experiences by capturing photographs that illustrate their perceptions of safety or danger within public spaces. This visual approach enables participants to communicate complex feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
The project will include four workshops in which participants at risk of encountering serious youth violence will:
1. Create a detailed plan for capturing photographic representations of their local communities.
2. Engage in a guided walk with peer researchers and the study team to take photographs highlighting elements of safety and unsafety.
3. Participate in discussions to analyse their images and share insights on how to enhance safety within their surroundings.
4. Collaborate with professionals to hone their ideas and formulate actionable recommendations for improvements.
To ensure that the findings resonate with those in positions of authority, the initiative will culminate in young participants presenting their insights and recommendations to local policymakers. Additionally, public exhibitions showcasing the photographs and narratives will be conducted in each of the research areas, providing a direct platform through which young voices can influence strategies aimed at improving safety.
Once the initial study wraps up, the research team intends to pursue further funding to evaluate whether the proposed solutions effectively enhance the feelings of safety among young individuals, deliver better support from trusted adults, and mitigate the incidence of serious youth violence.
Dr Harri Fisher, a Research Fellow at Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, stated: “All young people should feel safe in public spaces. By closely collaborating with young individuals, peer researchers, and community organisations throughout the duration of this project, we aspire to promote real change for young people.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Michael Whelan, a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of the West of England, emphasised the need for young people to have a rightful place in public areas. “If we accept that young individuals belong in public spaces, we have a duty to explore how we can make our streets, parks, and urban centres not only feel safer but actually be safer for them.”
Dr Matthew Booker, a General Practitioner and Associate Professor in Urgent Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol and a contributor to the research team, underlined the importance of health professionals being equipped to engage in meaningful conversations with young people about their perceptions of safety and collaborative efforts to reduce risks within their communities.
For individuals or organisations interested in learning more about this initiative, they can reach out to Harriet Fisher at Harriet.Fisher@bristol.ac.uk or Michael Whelan at Michael.Whelan@uwe.ac.uk.
The Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol stands as a prominent establishment for primary healthcare research within the UK. It is one of ten centres forming part of the NIHR School for Primary Care Research and is embedded in Bristol Medical School, which is internationally acknowledged for its excellence in population health research and education.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) pursues a crucial mission: to enhance the health and economic prosperity of the nation through robust research. Its objectives encompass funding high-quality, timely research to benefit the National Health Service (NHS), investing in outstanding expertise and facilities necessary for translating discoveries into improved healthcare services, and fostering partnerships with patients and communities to refine the quality and relevance of research outputs. Furthermore, NIHR is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers capable of tackling multifaceted health and social care challenges, including those in low and middle-income countries, funded primarily through the UK’s aid initiatives.
Our Thoughts
The study highlights the ongoing issue of serious youth violence and the importance of understanding young people’s perspectives on safety in public spaces. To potentially avoid such incidents, a stronger emphasis on risk assessments as mandated by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 could have been beneficial. Public spaces should be regularly evaluated to identify and mitigate hazards that contribute to feelings of unsafety among youth.
Enhancing collaboration among community organizations, local authorities, and youth services can lead to tailored interventions addressing specific safety concerns, aligning with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which necessitates that risks be properly assessed and managed.
Key safety lessons include the need for proactive engagement with young individuals, ensuring they have a voice in safety discussions, which aligns with the UK’s legal obligation to consult with employees (or representatives) on health and safety matters. Furthermore, integrating safety education within school curriculums can equip youth with the knowledge and skills to navigate their environments more safely.
In summary, systematic risk management, community engagement, and educational initiatives are crucial components that could help mitigate risks associated with youth violence in public spaces.
