YOUNG people across North Yorkshire have called on the police not to judge them on their age or appearance.

The request came from a survey of young people who also called for a more approachable police force.

The North Yorkshire Youth Commission is made up of 30 volunteers, aged between 14 and 25, and was set up by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner last July, and carried out the survey.

Speaking to more than 1,500 young people at colleges, youth clubs and other venues across the county, the commission found the majority of young people wanted police officers to be more consistent in the way they interact with the age group, and not to judge them based on their age or appearance.

The interim findings of the report will be presented at a meeting with North Yorkshire Police, youth workers and PCC Julia Mulligan and Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick on Monday.

Hannah Ward, 23, led the commission’s work on relationships with police, and said: "Our report sets out our findings so far and reflects what young people tell us they think about the police and policing in North Yorkshire.

"For many young people, it was important that police took a friendlier approach. They felt they wanted officers to interact with them in a more relaxed way and not just when they were issuing warnings. They also felt there was a tendency to be judged by their appearance which was something they wanted to change."

Mrs Mulligan said: "It was clear from my work in drawing up the Police and Crime Plan that the views of children and young people were not being heard as they should be. The members of the Commission are all volunteers and I thank them wholeheartedly for getting behind this project with so much enthusiasm.

"The report also comes at a very pertinent time, when North Yorkshire Police is preparing to increase the money dedicated to protecting children and vulnerable people. This means the police will have more resources available to act on the recommendations made by the Commission. I fully expect them to do so."

The report also recommends police should work more closely with door staff to reduce drug taking in clubs, take a unified approach to the way they interact with young people, increase police presence in schools and be more approachable and empathetic.