As the nights draw in and young people take to the U.K.’s streets for Halloween, more than 1,000 dedicated youth workers and police officers will be patrolling communities during Halloween weekend.
This Friday and Saturday night will see youth workers and police officers directly engaging with young people on the streets in a bid to stop incidents of crime and antisocial behavior.
Action is taking place across 69 areas targeted by the Youth Crime Action Plan (YCAP) and is one of the biggest coordinated operations of its kind on Halloween.
Feedback from police forces across the country repeatedly shows an increase in reported incidents of crime and antisocial behavior over Halloween weekend when compared with the weekends either side.
The confiscation of alcohol from underage drinkers will also form an important part of the operation with police officers hoping to seize hundreds of bottles, including spirit-based ‘alcopops’ and high strength lagers.
Young people at risk of becoming involved in crime are expected to be removed from the streets and taken to a place of safety where parents will be called to collect them under a program called Operation Staysafe.
There will also be 850 positive activities taking place over Friday and Saturday in the 69 areas providing a safe environment for young people in neighborhoods across the country. This will include sporting events, performance arts groups and ‘dry’ discos.
Activities will include:
* police officers, youth workers, housing officers and community safety officers in Salford working alongside members of the community on ‘voluntary community patrols’;
* a side road being transformed in Nottingham into a 100m athletics track for young people to take part in races; and
* Operation Staysafe run in three areas of Liverpool known for having high levels of antisocial behavior.
Policing and Crime Minister David Hanson MP said:
“The vast majority of young people are sensible and law abiding and will be out enjoying the Halloween weekend without incident. However, there is always a minority who take things too far and this operation will seek those people out and stop them committing crime and antisocial behavior so the majority can enjoy the seasonal fun.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behavior on our streets and will seek to stamp it out wherever it happens.”
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said:
“Halloween can be great fun but I don’t want anyone to be intimidated by high spirits which can sometimes get out of hand. I’m really pleased that this weekend young people will have access to organized Halloween activities as part of the government’s drive to give young people things to do and places to go to at the times they need them most.
“The government’s strategy “Aiming High for Young People” has invested £679 million to help areas deliver activities for young people all year round. Local areas now need to make sure young people are aware of all the exciting activities on offer to them, wherever they live.”
Justice Minister Maria Eagle said:
“Antisocial behavior can have a devastating effect on communities and young people themselves.
“Our approach is to seek to prevent young people from turning to crime in the first place, but make it clear that there are serious consequences for those that do offend.
“We have made real progress in the last year but there is more to be done – this can only be achieved through tough enforcement, alongside positive activities for young people to help turn their lives around.”
Source: Home Office
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