The MiPod - an inflatable, portable, Big Brother-style diary room - will be appearing around Surrey from next month as part of a drive between public bodies in Surrey to consult with young people.

The planning and procurement process for the Mipod was undertaken by the Surrey Consultation Co-ordination Group. The Group, established and chaired by Surrey Police Authority (SPA), brings together consultation professionals from across the public sector agencies of Surrey. Partner agencies including Surrey County Council, Borough & District Councils, Surrey Police and Surrey Police Authority, have worked together to buy the Mipod and will now be able to use it for their own consultations as and when required.

Surrey Police will be the first to take the Mipod on the road and will be visiting community events at five different locations between July and September where young people from the age of 12 will have a chance to say what they think.

They will be asked a series of questions including how they want Surrey Police to communicate with them, the information they would like and what their concerns are, with the answers being fed back to formulate how best the Force can engage with them in future.

Sarah Haywood, Partnerships Policy Officer at Surrey Police Authority, said: "By working together to buy the Mipod, it is possible for councils and other agencies to have access to this innovative and fun method of consulting that they might not have been able to afford if they had been working on their own.

"This means that public bodies in Surrey will be better equipped than ever before to take into account the views of young residents when planning their services. We are all looking forward to seeing the results as the Mipod gets to work."

Temporary Superintendent Sharon Bush said: “We are always looking at different ways of reaching communities and, in particular, young people and the MiPod provides an excellent chance to capture their views. It’s very similar to the Big Brother diary room and represents a fun and different way for youngsters to share their concerns with us so, together with our partners, we are able to respond to them.”

The MiPod comprises two separate rooms joined by a one-way mirrored window, one darkened room hosting a film crew and interviewers and the other a brightly-lit room for interviewing. It will be at the following locations on the listed dates:

Merstham Community Festival – 10 July
Westborough Community Fair – 10 July
Sheerwater Festival – 24 July
Stanwell Family Fun Day – 8 August
Old Dean, Camberley – 4 September