Young people were given the opportunity to quiz the borough’s senior police officers senior councillors and other key decision makers at the Youth Momentum2 Conference.

More than 100 young people gathered ast the conference, organised by Wandsworth Council, to discuss problems they face in the borough and help find solutions.

Among the decision makers were council chief executive Paul Martin and Battersea MP Jane Ellison, who discussed how to give young people a voice, what mental health support should be available to school pupils and gang culture and how to keep safe.

Wandsworth youth councillor Nareman Abbud, 17, said: "Youth Momentum2 was great because of all the creative activities. It got young people involved and out of our seats. We had to really think about tough topics and we learned things in new and fun ways."

The council's children's services spokesman Councillor Kathy Tracey said: "Yet again the Youth Council has organised a successful and eye-opening Youth Momentum conference. It’s great to hear their fresh new ideas and see matters from their perspective.

"Young people often have a bad reputation, but this event shows that here in Wandsworth we have some very bright, engaged young people who we are sure will continue to play a vital role in our community."

Officers will now take all the feedback from the conference and come up with a three-year youth participation strategy.