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See other news storiesStaying safe over Halloween
30 October 2009
More than 1,000 dedicated youth workers and police officers will be patrolling our communities over Halloween weekend.
Sixty-nine areas across the country will be targeted as part of the government's youth crime action plan (YCAP). It will be one of the biggest coordinated operations of its kind on Halloween and is designed to stop incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Keeping young people safe
Police feedback shows that crime and anti-social behaviour are higher over Halloween weekend, compared with the weekends either side.
Under operation staysafe (new window), young people who are identified as being at risk of significant harm, for example by becoming involved in crime - either as victim or perpetrator - will be removed from the streets and taken to a safe place, where parents will be called to collect them. There will also be 96 street-based youth teams patrolling trouble spots to engage with hard to reach young people.
A big part of the operation will focus on stopping underage drinkers, with police officers hoping to seize hundreds of bottles, including spirit-based 'alcopops’ and high strength lagers.
Organised activities
There will also be 850 organised activities taking place over Friday and Saturday in the 69 areas, including sporting events, performance art and alcohol-free discos. Youth clubs will be open later than usual to help keep young people off the streets.
Helping the majority
Policing and Crime Minister David Hanson 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 anti-social behaviour so the majority can enjoy the seasonal fun.'
YCAP
The youth crime action plan (YCAP) is a £100m cross-government programme to tackle youth crime through a comprehensive package of tough enforcement and intensive prevention measures. It offers support for the most troubled families, as well as an intensive programme for areas with the worst records for youth crime.
Find out more
For further information see not in my neighbourhood week (new window), which begins on Monday and demonstrates work going on around the country to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
