A police sergeant from Truro who has worked with young people in Cornwall’s disadvantaged neighbourhoods will address a European summit on his work next month.

Sergeant David Aynsley, a representative in the Children’s Trust support team based in the city, will attend the Council of Europe’s (CoEu) Enter expert seminar at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg from December 1 to 3.

Sgt Aynsley’s work with young people and how they are integrated into Cornish communities influenced the CoEu resolution on the integration of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods which was adopted last month.

Following the adoption Sgt Aynsley, who has worked extensively with children and in disadvantaged neighbourhoods since joining the Force in 1989, was asked to present details of the current work in Cornwall.

“When a child says there is nothing to do in their community it is proof that they are not fully involved with their neighbourhood - if they were they wouldn’t say that,” said Sgt Aynsley.

“All too often community youth workers see this as a child’s personal shortcoming and attempt to find solutions by targeting those perceived shortcomings.

He added that this type of intervention could harm a child by alienating them from their community.

“A more positive approach based on a child’s strengths and their integration into neighbourhoods is proven to be more successful and, where this happens, it encourages others within the community to view the child differently too.” “At the expert seminar I will be advocating an approach to youth work that focuses on a child’s strengths, especially in the context of the dispensing youth justice and youth access to social justice.

“Potentially this will benefit children and communities and give the police a far more positive strategy when working within communities.”

Funding for Sgt Aynsley’s visit to France has come direct from the CoEu and he will also present a plaque and greetings letter from Chief Constable Stephen Otter to Thorbjørn Jagland, secretary general of the CoEu.