Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
North Yorkshire Police has urged parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are what they are doing during the school holidays as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour.
On Friday (18 February 2022), schools across our area break-up with pupils enjoying a welcome week away from the classroom.
Anticipating an increase in reports of youth-related anti-social behaviour, our Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been making plans to deal with this issue.
As a police force, we fully realise that most young people are well-behaved and act responsibly during their time away from school and out-of-sight of their homes.
But those who break the law have been warned they could find themselves being arrested.
To help us to keep our neighbourhoods safe for all, we are urging parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are and what they are up to during half-term.
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield (pictured above) said: “During the school holidays we tend to see an increase in complaints of anti-social behaviour where children and young people are identified as being responsible.
“While the minority maybe causing issues, we find that most youngsters we speak to are polite and respectful and are simply enjoying being with their friends.
“To be clear, we will not move kids on who are not causing issues. Their presence alone is not an issue in most circumstances.
“However, some youngsters can find themselves getting drawn into anti-social behaviour, including street drinking or intimidating residents by gathering in large groups and being disruptive.
“Our policing teams will respond to such issues and will use powers to disperse these groups if necessary.
“Any behaviour that spills over into criminal acts such as criminal damage or assaults will be treated very seriously and offenders can expect to face action.
“As a preventative measure, we are urging parents and carers to work with us over half-term and make sure you know where your children are going to be and what they are doing.”
If youngsters are found to be causing issues by the police, there may be consequences for them as well as for their parents or carers.
This could mean:
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield added: “We encourage parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with your youngsters, take responsibility for their safety and teach them how to keep safe, and make sure they know the risks of being involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We believe this is the best approach to deal with this issue and ensure all in our communities are safe and feel safe.”
If youngsters are causing anti-social behaviour, acting in an intimidating manner or preventing you from accessing areas within the community safely, then please make a report so we can address the problem as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns, please call North Yorkshire Police on the non-emergency number 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.
If there is an immediate risk of harm and an emergency response is required, always dial 999.