Young people and police officers gathered at Waltham Forest Town Hall last week to mark the end of Common Ground, a pilot scheme designed to build understanding between two groups that can often feel at odds with one another.

The pilot began in mid-2025. Seventeen young people from Waltham Forest took part in two-way mentoring with six local police officers, whose ranks ranged from constable to detective superintendent. It was developed and delivered jointly by Waltham Forest Council and the Metropolitan Police, and shaped by young people at every stage — from the initial idea and programme design through to delivery, oversight and evaluation.

Participants met for regular group discussions facilitated by the council's delivery partners Spark2Life and Act for Change, covering trust, power dynamics, lived experience and adultification. Both sides were encouraged to learn from one another and consider different perspectives.

The closing event brought participants together with council and police officers, councillors and community leaders. Young people who had been closely involved in developing and delivering the scheme planned and hosted it, including leading a discussion with senior officers, councillors and fellow participants on what the pilot achieved and what should come next.

Alice, a young person who took part, said: "We hear a lot about the lack of trust between young people and the police. I thought the emphasis on what we can learn from each other was especially important. I think it's easy to assume that people aren't interested in hearing from or speaking to 'the other side', but this showed that this wasn't the case."

Cllr Charlotte Lafferty, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: "Too often our young people can feel unfairly judged or misunderstood by the police, which can mean they're less likely to trust officers or seek help when they need it. By bringing young people into conversations with the police around matters that affect them, we are helping to build a better, more connected community for us all."

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, Neighbourhood Policing Lead for Waltham Forest, said the programme "has challenged perceptions on both sides, created space for honest and sometimes difficult conversations, and helped strengthen the relationships that are so important to effective policing by consent". She added that she was "incredibly proud of all the young people and officers who took part and embraced the spirit of the initiative".

Residents wanting to know more about the council's work with young people can visit walthamforest.gov.uk or email [email protected].