YOUNG victims of bullying in Runcorn are being urged to share their story to help improve support services.

As part of anti-bullying week, which ends this Friday, the Anti-Bullying Commission is visiting a number of schools, colleges and community groups to provide an opportunity for under 25s to contribute to its call-for-evidence.

Pupils from Ormiston Bollingbroke Academy in Runcorn and Cheshire College in Chester will have the opportunity to tell their story during the week along with young carers who attend a support group in Ellesmere Port.

The anti-bullying commission was launched early this year by the county's police and crime commissioner to bring together a team of community representatives to tackle an issue described by police and crime commissioner David Keane as "an epidemic amongst all generations on our society".

The commission has travelled across Cheshire over the past few months capturing individuals' experiences of bullying and it’s now ramping up its activity to give as many people as possible the opportunity to have their say before the call-for-evidence closes at the end of this month.

To mark Anti-Bullying week, the commissioner has also released a short film of the evidence captured so far.

He said: "This powerful film depicts the real-life experiences of young people across Cheshire and the devastating effect bullying has had on them as individuals.

"After hearing too many harrowing stories just like these I decided enough was enough and that something had to be done to improve the support for victims of bullying.

"That's why I set up the Cheshire Anti-Bullying Commission and we've made good progress so far.

"We've got some incredible people on the commission with a vast range of skills and experience of the issue.

"I hope the work we're doing to improve things really makes a difference to not just young people but anyone who is experiencing or has experienced bullying."

The evidence collated will be reviewed by the commission members and will be used to develop a set of recommendations for police and other criminal justice organisations, education establishments and elected representatives to consider how they can provide more protection for victims of bullying.

The commission will hold its second meeting during Anti-Bullying Week where it will focus on how under 25 are affected by bullying as it prepares its first report to be released in early 2020 before looking into bullying in the workplace and among older people.

Local residents can also tell their story online before the first round of the Call for Evidence closes on November 30 by clicking the link https://cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-im-doing/get-involved/public-consultations/open-consultations/anti-bullying-commission-call-for-evidence/