Why can’t my kids Hang Out?

A large number of calls are received throughout the year from people complaining about 'nuisance youths'.  Some of these calls are not to report any crime, damage, noise or a direct threat but many are from people who feel intimidated by groups of youngsters congregated in public places such as shopping parades and bus stops.

Children and young people are part of our communities and will always congregate – it’s a natural part of growing up and very few youngsters who meet in public places are actually committing any criminal or other offence.

Young people often gather in groups because it makes them feel safer, choosing places near shops because they are well lit and busy.  In many cases they are actually unaware that their presence alone can seem intimidating to others.

There is a difference between youngsters acting deliberately to cause damage or upset and those who have simply gathered to socialise.

Behaviours which can be categorised as ‘youth nuisance’ would include:

• Drunken behaviour.
• Inconsiderate or reckless riding of cycles, skateboards etc.
• Being excessively noisy and using abusive language.
• Dropping litter.
• Painting graffiti.
• Harassing behaviour.

These are things that are most likely to cause fear of crime among vulnerable people such as the elderly, disabled, single parents and lone women.  However, the most frequent victims of harassment and intimidation by young people are usually other young people.

Action parents and young people can take

Parents, you should ensure that you know where your children are going and who with; reminding them of safe and appropriate places to play and discourage them from acting in a manner which will cause distress or nuisance by reminding them to respect the area and people around where they are congregating.

Young people can respect everyone’s right to feel comfortable to use public areas by:

• Allowing all users safe, clear access to walkways.
• Only using private property with the permission of the owner, e.g. sitting on walls, playing in private garage areas.
• Not congregating in same residential area for long, frequent periods interfering with residents enjoyment of their homes and gardens.
• Not causing noise nuisance particularly during the evening with abusive language, reckless games, etc.
• Disposing of all litter in a bin or taking it home.

Action the whole community can take

Providing young people with plenty of things to do – that they want to do – is an important part of keeping them from engaging in behaviour that is seen as a nuisance.  Such diversionary measures include:

• Local youth groups and youth clubs that run activity sessions and provide a safe place for young people to congregate without disturbing others.
• Outreach youth workers who encourage young people in the local community to use the services available, and who can also target specific groups, such as young people in rural areas.
• Work by local authority services, and other agencies and voluntary groups, to involve more young people with the arts, heritage, sports and leisure and the local community.  This includes universal services aimed at all young people and targeted work aimed at disaffected or ‘at risk’ young people.
• Getting young people involved in inter-generational community projects can promote understanding between generations, by encouraging others in the community to be more tolerant of young people’s behaviour, and helping young people see what effect their behaviour has on others.  These projects can include oral history projects, drama and young people working with the elderly in their community.

Action that HCSP can take

HCSP works with a range of agencies to provide support for community action by helping to access funding and expertise to get projects running.

If the youth or group of youths is causing deliberate harm or damage, or behaving illegally, you should report the matter to the Police.  In some cases they may not be able to send an Officer immediately (if, for example, they are dealing with an emergency elsewhere).  But, they should always respond if a crime in progress is reported.

If there are no grounds for arrest the Police will find out who the young people are and what they are doing.  If necessary, they will be asked to leave or go home, and may contact Parents or Guardians about any problem behaviour.  The Police may work with the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour team to investigate further.  Officers can also act if youngsters under 18 are drinking alcohol in a public place.  Police have the power to confiscate the drink and may ask the youths to leave if they are behaving in an unruly or aggressive manner.

The Community Safety team at Huntingdonshire District Council includes two Anti-Social Behaviour Caseworkers who specialises in dealing with cases where there are young people involved in anti-social behavior.

Once a complaint is received from the public or a referral from the Police or other agency, our Caseworkers will investigate in conjunction with other partner agencies and, where appropriate, will contact the youth or youths involved and their parents to discuss the matter.  Usually a meeting will be arranged to work with the families and look at possible means of dealing with the problem.

Sometimes there is no need for further action.  However, in other cases the ASB Officer will agree with the family involved to put in place an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement or Parental Control Agreement.  These are both formal agreements that specify the nuisance behaviour that is to be prohibited, along with how the situation is to be monitored.

In very serious cases, where no agreement can be reached with the youth and parents involved or the behaviour persists, the Partnership will consider an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or (if the case involved Registered Social Landlord tenants) possession action.

If you wish to report Anti-Social Behaviour please contact the Community Safety Team on 01480 388388