First youth crime tsar stands down from role over offensive tweets

Paris Brown, 17, from Sheerness, was appointed to the £15,000-a-year post only last week.

Speaking at a Press conference in Maidstone, Kent, yesterday, Miss Brown said she had “taken the decision to decline the offer of the position” as she felt recent media attention would affect her ability to carry out the job.

Kent Police is investigating the apparently violent, anti-gay and racist social media messages written by Miss Brown between the ages of 14 and 16.

The force said complaints have been made and it was making inquiries before deciding whether any offences were committed.

Miss Brown has denied being homophobic, racist or violent, and has since deleted the tweets.

She said: “As I made clear over the weekend, I accept that I have made comments on social networking sites which have offended many people. I am really sorry for any offence caused.

“I strongly reiterate that I am not racist or homophobic. I have fallen into the trap of behaving with bravado on social networking sites. I hope this may stand as a learning experience for many other young people.”

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes, 67, was to pay £5,000 of Miss Brown’s salary from her own pay.

She said the teenager was one of 164 applicants for the job, intended to provide young people’s views on policing, and she was the best one and a “confident and articulate woman”.

The teenager’s personal Twitter account was not vetted before the recruitment, she admitted, but added: “I was not recruiting an angel. I was not recruiting a police officer. I was recruiting a young person, warts and all. “