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Magistrates and Harrogate District Safer Communities launch consequences event for parents
10 September 2008: Young people in
the Harrogate district are being warned that their underage
drinking could impact on their health and future career or travel
plans.
That is the message that has come across loud and clear from a
pilot project aimed at raising the awareness of the effect of
underage drinking but being delivered to the parents not the
children.
The Harrogate District Safer Communities Partnership has
developed this unique 'consequences event' in partnership with the
Police and the Magistrates' Court. Following a
successful launch this summer it is planned that these events will
be held on a regular basis.
The number of young people coming before the Magistrates
charged with offences linked to underage drinking is rising and it
was felt that more support should be given to
parents. The consequences event invites parents
to meet Magistrates and is the first step being taken after their
children have 'come to the attention of the police' whilst in
possession of alcohol although not necessarily committing any
offence.
Sgt Geoff Crocker of North Yorkshire Police
explains: "Parents, of course, are not facing a
criminal hearing when they attend court.
Instead, as well as meeting Magistrates, representatives from a
number of the partnership agencies are on hand to discuss the
damage that having a criminal record can do to their
children. Some countries won't allow in visitors
with criminal records and some career paths won't be open to them
such as working with children or the health
profession. Parents also hear from other
representatives from the Safer Communities Partnership who are
there to offer help and advice about health issues and alternative
activities for their children.
"We will continue to make these events informal but the main
thrust is to get an important message across - that their
children's future and health is at risk."
The next consequences event will be held later this month and
Magistrate Bernadette Reid says they are pleased with what they
learned from the pilot project. She
said: "To our knowledge this is the first of its
kind in the country and I want to thank those parents who
attended. We hope these events will continue to
be mutually beneficial. ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: On behalf of
the partnership, Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager 01423
556022 on behalf of Her Majesty's Courts' Service, Mark Kram, Chief
Press Officer on 020 3334 6697 or 07814
377648.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The
consequences events are being supported by:
The Home Office
The Ministry of Justice
The Magistrates' Association
North Yorkshire Police
HM Courts' Service
Harrogate and Skipton Magistrates
Harrogate Borough Council
North Yorkshire County Council
Harrogate Alcohol and Drugs Agency
Harrogate and District Safer Communities Partnership
Carers' Resource
St Peter's School
Friends of Harrogate Hospital