Two teenage girls have been selected to represent Havering in the UK Youth Parliament.
Elsie Orwell and Philia Lekaj won the polls, announced by the Mayor of Havering Stephanie Nunn.
Youngsters aged 11 to 18 cast 6,800 votes, with half of Havering secondary schools taking part as well as youth centres, the Youth Justice Service, Youth Council and Children in Care Council.
Issues covered ‘tacking crime’, ‘improving young people’s voice’, ‘mental health’ and ‘school and education’.
Philia pledged to campaign on accessibility to education, mental health awareness and sexual harassment.
Elsie pledged to reduce crime rates among youths and to campaign for equal opportunities in education.
Havering Cllr Oscar Ford said: “The new members are able to take up issues which affect young people and to know that their voices will be heard.”
The UK Youth Parliament organises projects, runs campaigns and aims to influence decision-makers on the issues that youngsters care about.
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