Drunken youths taken home from Coppull in 'free taxis' (From Chorley Citizen)

Drunken youths taken home from Coppull in 'free taxis'

9:31am Wednesday 26th November 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

“Know where your children are!" - That’s the stern message from Chorley police to parents after they broke up a group of 50 drunken youngsters in Clancutt Lane, Coppull, at about 8pm on Friday night.

Many of the young drunks were then escorted home by police on a special mini-bus in a scheme dubbed a “free taxi service” by one councillor.

Sergeant Nick Hills, of Chorley Police, explained what happened: "We received complaints from residents that a large number of youths were drinking and making noise in Clancutt Lane.

“When we arrived, there were in excess of 50 youths. They were taken home as part of Operation Cherub and a large amount of alcohol was seized.

“When we take them home, most of the parents don’t know where they have been so our message to them is ‘know where your children are’.”

The controversial minibus, paid for by council taxpayers, started running in May, and has so far ferried 90 children home on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

But Councillor Mark Perks, who spoke out when the minibus was launched, said the police should take the children to the police station and ask parents to collect them.

Coun Perks who represents Astley and Buckshaw, said: "I still think that a parental notice form needs to be issued and they should be taken to the police station and parents told they need to collect them.

“This scheme is still being funded by Chorley Council and it is just being used as a taxi service by the youngsters. The money needs to be directed at schemes for preventing teenagers from drinking on the streets.”

Police said that youths had recently started to gather near the railway bridge off Clancutt Lane.

Andrew Dickson, manager of the Spar shop in Spendmore Lane, said the problem of youths going around in gangs in the area had got worse over the last six months.

The former Coppull parish councillor, added: “I don’t really find them intimidating but our customers feel quite threatened when they are trying to get into the shop and there are a gang of youths standing outside.

“The parents should be keeping them off the streets because they are taking the police away from more important jobs.”

Operation Cherub costs between £75 to £100 per week to hire a seven seater van.

Councillor Eric Bell, Chorley’s executive member (neighbourhoods), said: “The operation is about preventing criminal damage and nuisance in local communities by drunken teenagers.

“By intervening at an early stage and educating people about the dangers of drinking alcohol at a young age we can influence a better lifestyle.

“We are able to target our resources at hotspot areas and help those who are most vulnerable – the early referral means we can prevent young people having problems with alcohol in later life.

“We’ve seen real results and the number of people being taken home by the police has reduced since Operation Cherub started.

“In the run up to Christmas we are planning to expand Operation Cherub by offering additional support and advice to young people when they are taken home by the police.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)