Police are turning to unconventional strategies to build relationships with local youth in regional Western Australia.

Over the past three months, more than a dozen students considered at risk have spent time on the tools with police to prepare cars for a demolition derby in Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth.

Senior Constable Jason Jones, who is also vice president at the local speedway, thought up the initiative to drive police and local youth closer.

"Over the last couple of months, it's made a huge difference," he said.

"The kids have looked forward to coming and they've sort of readily sought out to come get involved in the cars," he said.

The project started with one car but eventually, three vehicles were needed to meet demand from students.

Competitors Jason Jones, Shane Van Styn, Brad Bird get behind the wheels. ( ABC News: Sarah Taillier )

A team of police, many of whom volunteered their time, taught participants how to prepare the vehicles for demolition derby.

"At first they're a bit standoffish until you tell them that they get to smash things," he said.

Hitting the track

On Saturday, more than a dozen of the boys and teenagers who worked on the cars gathered at the Geraldton City Speedway and watched the product of their work hit the track.

The students do not get to drive — instead, high-ranking police officers and the city's mayor got behind the wheel to join local competitors.

Officer in charge at Geraldton police Station, Senior Sergeant Brad Bird, was one of the competitors.

He said the project had seen young, prolific offenders reconnect with police.

"It's been an amazing rollercoaster to watch these great kids come together," he said.

"It's giving them something to do, and that's the most important thing."

Senior Constable Jason Jones said it was important to give young people something constructive to do. ( ABC News: Chris Lewis )

Tyreece Goody, 12, explained why he decided to join the project, which is run at the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) on Thursdays.

"Because on Thursday when you go to late night, all you see is fights, so I just decided to come to the PCYC instead and do the car," he said.

Tyreece spent hours working on a car, nicknamed the "The Punisher" and was proud to see his work on the track.

"Felt good," he said.

"Because I seen my spray paint, my work, out there."

He also shared his view on law enforcement.

"If we didn't have police, everyone would go psycho," he said.

The initiative is part of the U-Turn Project, which has seen mostly Indigenous youth in the Mid West take part in a series of projects to highlight the importance of teamwork, cultural identity, respect, and trust.

A police car takes to the tracks. ( ABC News: Sarah Tailler )

The City of Greater Geraldton is a partner in the project and Mayor Shane Van Styn, also got behind the wheel.

"It is unconventional, but if you keep doing what you've done, you're going to keep getting the same results," he said.

"And we're getting great results.

"Some kids like to get dirty with their hands.

Options for youth

"Here's an opportunity for those mechanically minded, they get to see something that they've created themselves, raced out in a public arena."

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Police say the demolition derby project is helping to get 'at risk' youth back on track and believe it could be rolled out to other communities.

"The kids are, as everyone says, the future," Senior Constable Jones said.

"If we can get the kids starting to get involved, hopefully the next step will be getting them into a race car and actually racing out here."

"One step at a time."

As for the winner of the "crash king" neither police or the mayor took the crown, which went to a local competitor.