A leaflet expressing views on the causes and consequences of rioting was launched in north Belfast recently.

The leaflet was designed by the Building Bridges Forum, a partnership between the young people of York Road/Tigers Bay, The First Step Drop in Centre and York Road Neighbourhood Police, facilitated by Include Youth’s North Belfast Young Voices Project.

Nicola Farrell of Include Youth explained: “The forum exists to let young people have a direct voice concerning policing and community safety issues. As well as frank discussions, the young people engaged in creative workshops and fact finding trips.

“The young people were very enthusiastic and the leaflet is a great tool to show how young people and police can work together proactively on pressing community safety issues.”

The leaflet includes views on what attracts young people to a riot situation, what the consequences of rioting are for young people, the community and the police, and what steps can be taken to prevent it.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds, who helped launch the leaflet, said he had been impressed by the ground-breaking work of the project in bringing young people and local police officers together to look at this issue.

“The young people have clearly found this very interesting and have benefited from the experience. It has helped them to increase their skills and confidence, which will make them a positive influence among their peers,” he said

Copies of the leaflet are available by contacting Nicola Farrell at Include Youth on 9031 1007 or email nicola@includeyouth.org.