New digital hub to help young people feel safe in their communities

Research showing two in three young people in Scotland have felt unsafe prompted the launch of a dedicated digital safety hub from Young Scot and Police Scotland.

The hub will give young people trusted advice on personal safety, what happens if you’re stopped by the police and guidance on issues such as sextortion, cybercrime and hate crime.

Young people will also find clear advice on how to access support if they are a victim of crime, and how to report concerns safely.

Over 2,500 young people responded to a Young Scot survey revealing that two thirds (67%) of young people in Scotland have felt unsafe at some point. This aligns with findings from Police Scotland’s Your Police Survey, which reported that more than 70% of young people have concerns about safety, with 15% saying they do not feel safe at all.

Reaching hundreds of thousands of 11 to 25-year-olds each year, Young Scot will promote the digital resource across the platforms young people use daily, helping to promote safety, reduce harm and build trust in the police.

Young Scot CEO Kirsten Urquhart said:

Young people have told us that feeling unsafe is a genuine worry for them. By teaming up with Police Scotland we can make sure young people have clear, reliable information at their fingertips to help them feel more confident and in control of their own safety.

This initiative shows our commitment to listening to what young people are telling us, working with partners and taking real action to make Scotland is a place where all young people feel safe to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Chief Inspector Elaine Tomlinson from Police Scotland’s Children and Young People Team said:

The safety of our young people is an absolute priority for Police Scotland, and we are committed to exploring new and innovative ways of connecting with them and building relationships of trust and confidence.

We welcome the opportunity to work with Young Scot to develop this important resource which will help ensure our young people can easily access information on how to stay safe and where to turn if they need help.

For more information:

Explore the Young Scot Police Scotland Digital Safety Hub

Read insights from the Young Scot Truth About Youth survey

Access the joint Police Scotland and Young Scot report, combining current and past research with young people to highlight their experiences of crime, safety and what matters most to them.