![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/02/IMG_7848_66163.jpg)
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson of Norwood Police Station, Stanley Letsoalo launched a youth desk programme aimed at curbing challenges facing youngsters in the area.
Letsoalo said the youth must be the eyes and ears of the CPF in helping fight challenges such as crime and substance abuse in the area.
“The youth is always on the streets. Whenever a criminal activity takes place there is always a young person around,” said Letsoalo.
“They will then become the eyes and ears of the Community Policing Forum. We will take that information and send it to the relevant stakeholders.”
Thabo Thipe, co-ordinator of the Department of Community Safety in Gauteng applauded the youth desk initiative and urged the community to take part in the fight against crime.
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“One of the big problems in Norwood is drugs and we appreciate the efforts made by the CPF by involving the youth. We want to make sure that young people are taken care of, especially those that are still at school,” said Thipe.
Letsoalo added that the role of the youth desk would not only be to focus on crime but also to empower young people. “Their role is to also identify challenges in the community and analyse them, and come up with campaigns aimed at solving those problems,” he said.
The newly-appointed youth desk members will go through a two-day workshop to help them understand their role in the positions they will be taking.