Law students in action: Mentoring junior detectives in crime scene investigations
Second-year LLB Law student, Ria Nahar, reflects on her experience mentoring Year 8 pupils in a hands-on crime awareness programme at Leeds.
A staged crime scene on the University of Leeds campus recently became the centre of a unique educational initiative aimed at tackling knife crime through immersive learning.
The Junior Detectives scheme, developed by West Yorkshire Police in collaboration with the University of Leeds, the NHS, Leeds Crown Court, and Notre Dame Sixth Form College, offers a powerful week-long experience to 12 and 13-year-olds across the Wakefield district.
The programme followed a fictional crime scenario from first police response through to courtroom conclusion, engaging with real professionals and university facilities along the way.
Learning through experience
The activities included exploring a realistic crime scene near the campus’s iconic pyramid, participating in a simulated A&E trauma session, and observing police interviews in the School of Law’s Liberty Building. The students also engaged with cutting-edge virtual reality technology in the HELIX ‘Makerspace’, and concluded their experience with a visit to Leeds Crown Court, where they met Judge Christopher Batty and King’s Counsel counsellors.
The experience wasn’t just transformative for the pupils, School of Law student mentors played a pivotal role, including second-year undergraduate student, Ria Nahar, who brought both passion and purpose to her role in the programme.
Volunteering with meaning
Having previously volunteered as a mooting coach with the School of Law, Ria was eager to support young people, facilitate meaningful conversations about knife crime, and approach these discussions in a positive, balanced way.
Ria’s motivation was rooted in both a desire to give back and a recognition of the importance of real-world engagement alongside academic studies. “I wanted to represent the University of Leeds and the School of Law as part of this unique opportunity.”
Over the course of the week, Ria developed key skills:
Initially, I was apprehensive about working as an individual mentor with a small group of pupils. However, after establishing a good rapport with them, I found it was much easier to lead team activities and ease discussions surrounding sensitive topics as the week progressed, developing my teamwork skills in the process.
Ria also learned to adapt to changing circumstances: she recalls one moment where flexibility was key, “As a team, we were instructed to modify one of the key activities that was planned out for the day and substitute it with a new task in a new location on campus,” she said. “Through this, I learnt to think on the spot and adjust to unexpected situations in a controlled manner.”
This experience has been invaluable in honing key skills that Ria will rely on throughout her legal career, such as teamwork, project management, and communication. Collaborating with a larger team was an eye-opening opportunity, but what stood out most was her ability to foster meaningful discussions and work closely with smaller groups.
Reflecting on the experience, Ria says, “Engaging with young people about the serious consequences of knife crime taught me the importance of approaching sensitive topics with thoughtfulness and tact.” These skills will be essential as she navigates challenging conversations in the legal field.
A lasting impact
According to Ria, the most rewarding part of the week was seeing the Junior Detectives present their reflections to an audience of friends, family, and professionals from the West Yorkshire Police:
All the pupils worked incredibly hard on their presentations, and I was so proud to see them speak with enthusiasm about how much they had learnt and what they enjoyed.
For Ria, this project was a reminder of how community involvement and education can go hand in hand, especially when it comes to addressing serious issues like knife crime.
Your turn: build confidence and connections through volunteering
“This programme was highly rewarding, and I have come away feeling so much more confident!” says Ria.
Ria encourages current and incoming students to engage with the enrichment opportunities offered at the School of Law:
“As a student, if you have the chance to apply for an opportunity that interests you, it’s definitely worth taking the time,” she explains. “Take as many opportunities as you can whilst at university, because it gives you the chance to network and make so many new connections.”
Interested in exploring the enrichment opportunities available to our students? Learn more here!
