There has been a worrying spike in the number of children getting drunk on the streets of Newcastle, parents have been warned.
City authorities say they are “increasingly concerned” about young teens drinking alcohol around the city centre, some of whom have even had to be hospitalised. Police and council chiefs say there has been a spate of children, often coming from other parts of the region to meet friends in Newcastle, becoming intoxicated – which has led to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as some children being left isolated and vulnerable while under the influence.
Parents and carers have now been urged to check where their children are going and what they are doing during the Easter school holidays. Christine Herriot, Newcastle City Council’s director of operations and regulatory services, said: “We know Newcastle is a popular destination for people of all ages to come and socialise, but we are becoming increasingly concerned with the number of young people who are coming to Newcastle with alcohol and becoming vulnerable as a result.
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“As we approach the Easter holidays, we would ask parents and carers to speak to their children, make sure they know where they are and how they intend to get home, and make sure they know about the dangers of alcohol, which can be particularly harmful to young people. We want Newcastle to be a safe and welcoming city where everyone can enjoy themselves and we know the vast majority of visitors are respectful of others, but we’re keen to get on top of this trend before it becomes a bigger issue.”
Patrols sent out by the council, Northumbria Police, and the NE1 business improvement district company have found that young people are bringing in alcohol concealed in pop bottles, as well as consuming high-strength and sometimes highly-caffeinated drinks. It has led to some children being taken into custody or escorted home by the police, while there have been instances of young people needing to be hospitalised as a result of the volume of alcohol they had consumed.
Inspector Karen Madge, of Northumbria Police, said: “Over any school holiday period, we experience an increase in anti-social behaviour and we do target our patrols in the areas which are most affected. It goes without saying that the majority of young people are an absolute credit to themselves and their community, but sadly a small minority give them a bad name.
“We will continue to work with our partners to deal with any reports of anti-social behaviour. If you see our officers on patrol then please approach them and raise any concerns you may have in your neighbourhood.”
The authorities said that alcohol is linked to 200 different diseases and that the risks are “even greater for under-18s whose minds and bodies are still developing”. There is a Public Spaces Protection Order in Newcastle which bans the drinking of alcohol in public places.
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