Suffolk Constabulary’s Chief Constable, Simon Ash and Suffolk Police Authority members attended the Suffolk Police and Anglian Home Improvements Young People of the Year (YOPEY) Awards ceremony in Norwich on Sunday 22nd November.

‘Diverse and Equal Voices’ (DEV), a group of young people from Mildenhall who are tackling racism in their community, were the £1,000 winners of the award at the ceremony.

Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk Police Authority are proud sponsors of the award, along with Anglian Home Improvements.

YOPEY was started by a former national newspaper journalist, in an effort to reveal, reward and recognise positive young role models, and to inspire younger generations to make better choices as they grow up.

Mr Ash, who spoke at the ceremony and presented one of the awards commented, “Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk Police Authority are delighted to be sponsors and supporters of this award. It is an excellent example of encouraging our younger generation to make positive contributions to the community.

“Young people are often subject to a great deal of negativity and criticism in the media. In the police we know that young people are often not the problem. We know only too well that young people are part of the solution as many of these finalists show. Events such as this allow us to help prove that the majority of young people in our communities are positive, respectable people.”

DEV, made up of pupils from Mildenhall College of Technology, were formed with the help of Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE). The pupils are from various communities including British, American, Chinese, Polish and Thai. The judges commented that they “have demonstrated maturity beyond their young years and are clearly making a huge impact within their local community.” They added, “It is great to see a group of young people coming together to take a stand against racist behaviour.

The group meet regularly at the college, to develop ideas for encouraging cultural harmony in the area. A key part of their work was a major cross-cultural event organised in May, called ‘Dive into Diversity’. The event involved teachers, parents, governors and families, along with local businesses and members of the community. It featured local restaurateurs, Thai dancing, photography, food tasting, sari tying, WHAT carving, Chinese drummers and a Zimbabwean dance troupe.

Vice Chair of Suffolk Police Authority, Colin Spence, who also presented an award commented, “The YOPEY Awards have enabled the Police Authority, along with the Constabulary, to work with their partners to encourage and reward positive behaviour. We hope that this will inspire other young people to make a difference to their local community. We would also encourage young people with ideas for community projects to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team for advice and support.”

Charley Meyr, a teenage girl from Barningham who turned her life around after a rebellious past was awarded second place and presented with a cheque for £250.

Runners-up prizes of £100 each went to a 12-year-old Stansted girl, who helped care for her father with leukaemia until his death last week, a 23-year-old Ipswich volunteer, a 17-year-old Kesgrave Guide who helps run a Brownie pack and care for her sister, and a group of Shotley teenagers who have successfully campaigned for a youth club in their village.

The Suffolk YOPEY awards were handed out alongside YOPEYs for Norfolk young people who were also awarded £4,000 worth of prizes for being ‘good positive role models’ for younger people.