Kent: New Youth Commissioner Appointed

A 19-year-old from Margate has been chosen as Kent's new youth police and crime commissioner.

Kerry Boyd, will start her role part-time tomorrow, before taking up the post full-time next month.

She will be taking a gap year from her degree in education studies and business studies to dedicate herself to the role.

Former London 2012 torchbearer Miss Boyd, from Margate, said: "I'm very pleased indeed that I've got the job. It was a role that was calling out to me.

"For me, this is about giving young people a voice in society and finding out what the younger generation want from the police and wider agencies.''

In her new role, Miss Boyd - a Chelsea FC supporter - will try to provide a link between policing and young people, the office of Kent police and crime commissioner Ann Barnes said.

The appointment comes after Miss Boyd's predecessor Paris Brown from Sheerness ended up having to step down as Britain's first youth police and crime commissioner.

Miss Brown, then 17, had her mobile phone seized by officers who investigated her postings on Twitter over claims that they were homophobic, racist and violent.

She denied being anti-gay or racist, and said she was against taking drugs, insisting that a reference to making "hash brownies'' was from a Scooby Doo film.

The teenager, was eventually put in the clear after Kent Police disclosed that no further action would be taken against her.

In her role, Miss Boyd will work with primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, to deliver education packages on issues including knife crime and drugs, Mrs Barnes's office said.

Mrs Barnes said of the new appointment: "Kerry really stood out for me as a strong-minded young lady who has a hunger to make a difference.

"I'm confident that Kerry has lots of exciting ideas to make sure that young people are involved in future policing. I'd like to congratulate Kerry on securing the role and look forward to working with her.''