December 21: Thimphu, the capital city has the highest number of crimes committed by the youth. According to police, this year alone 291 youth related crimes were recorded in Thimphu. In efforts to reduce this, the police is fostering a police youth partnership. As part of the programme the police are organizing a winter community camp. It was launched today at the clock tower in Thimphu.

In response to the increasing number of youth related crimes, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) have been organizing various activities to sensitize the youth and parents. Some of the common crimes committed by youth in Bhutan are battery and assault, burglary, smuggling of controlled substances, drug abuse and display of weapons.

The Police Youth Partnership Programme is one such activity. As part of the programme, the RBPteam led by the Chief of Police, Colonel Kipchu Namgyel have visited 74 schools and met with over 49,000 students across the country.

For the youth who are now on vacation, the RBP is organizing a winter community camp for 200 youth, as part of Police Youth Partnership Programme. The programme was formally launched by the Education Minister Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel.

Launching the winter community camp, Lyonpo Thakur said the youth sensitization programme in the schools have received good feedbacks. He said the participation of 200 youth in the police youth partnership programme is admirable.

The chief of Police Colonel Kipchu Namgyel said relations between police and youth have been less friendly in the past. However with the changing time, he said RBP aspires to foster closer relationship with the youth.

The youth participants will act as the good will ambassadors of the Royal Bhutan Police and an agent of change for other youth who are at risk. Over the next 40 days they will take part in youth and law sensitization and drug education programme, fire and traffic safety programme, youth policing and community services. They will visit the detention and prison cells and take part in life safety and rescue programmes.

Following the launch, youth participants led by the Chief of Police went around the town to sensitize the people about the programme.