Amy Cassley (16), who attends St Columba’s High School, is one of 18 young people selected to sit on the inaugural Police Scotland Youth Advisory Panel.

It will work with officers to challenge and shape strategic policies by exploring their impact on the younger generation.

Amy, who is in fifth year, said, “We will be the voice of young people and will work with Police Scotland to see what issues there are and build a bridge.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about the police from young people and vice versa, and I think there is a barrier there between them.” Applicants to the panel, aged 12-25, were sought from across the country and Amy, of Dover Drive, was chosen to represent Fife in the initiative that also works in partnership with YoungScot and YouthLink.

The teenager hopes to study engineering at university after leaving school, and said she applied to the panel to try and make positive changes within the community.

Amy explained, “I think that there is a lack of communication and one of the things I want to change is arranging for the police to come into schools and do talks with the pupils. I think that would help young people trust the police.

“Four police officers come to our meetings and they will bring issues from adult focus groups that they have and will get young people’s thoughts on them so they are getting a broader view. I want to make a change in my community and help build a better relationship for young people with the police.” The project will take place over two years and she added, “It is a big commitment but we keep in contact through social media before our meetings. It’s good to be able to speak with people from other parts of the country because the main issues they have in their community may be different from ours, but how the police manage young people is important. Everyone should be treated on an equal level.”