As part of this year’s BANG – Be A Nice Guy – Halloween and Bonfire Night campaign, officers from Cardiff’s Youth Offending Service (YOS) are conducting ‘Staysafe’; an operation aimed at engaging with vulnerable children and young people who may be at risk of becoming the victim of crime or involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Cardiff YOS is a statutory partnership between the Council, South Wales Police, Wales Probation Trust and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.
Once a child or young person has been identified by police patrols as being at risk they are taken to a designated ‘Place of Safety’ – such as a church hall or council building. Here, they will receive support and advice from Council youth workers and may also be assessed by social services if it is felt that there could be reasons for them being out late at night that suggests that their welfare is not being appropriately safeguarded. Parents or guardians are then notified by Operation Staysafe patrols that their child has been found drinking in the street and/or causing anti-social behaviour and asked to attend the location where their child has been taken. Parents will be advised of the risks/dangers and consequences involved in their child’s behaviour and offered follow up support.
Police patrols will be looking out for children or young people under the age of 18 who:
- Are in possession of alcohol
- Have consumed alcohol
- Are involved in anti-social behaviour
- Are in the company of adults who may be involved in anti-social behaviour and/or crime
Councillor Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Communities Housing & Social Justice said: “The initiative is not just about enforcement but education and protection as well; particularly for those who are vulnerable and can be easily influenced by a small minority of persistent offenders in their own peer groups. “By working together agencies are able to offer follow up support to young people and parents along with important information, advice and guidance on the risks to personal safety, health and the consequences of alcohol misuse.”
Divisional Commander for Cardiff, Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas said: “StaySafe is a high impact multi-agency operation which aims to keep children safe and out of our custody suites, while reducing crime and disorder in our communities.
“Parents need to realise the potential risks to their children or the problems they can cause if they are on the streets, particularly at night or if they are under the influence of alcohol or misusing fireworks. “StaySafe greatly reduced instances of anti social behaviour last Bonfire Night which is historically one of the busiest nights of the year and we received positive feedback from parents. “We are looking forward to the operation having the same impact this year over the Bang period.”
If you experience or witness any anti-social behaviour during this time please report it to 101. All noise nuisance issues should be reported directly to Cardiff Council via the usual C2C number (029) 2087 2087.
For more information about BANG and what’s being done in your area, please visit www.facebook.com/beaniceguy
