Redruth's voluntary youth curfew cuts anti-social behaviour

A town's voluntary curfew on youngsters has seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour, police said today.

The initiative in Redruth, west Cornwall, was launched on June 27, with hundreds of parents being asked to keep their children off the streets at night.

Operation Goodnight will continue to run over the school summer holiday period until September 7.

Around 600 homes in the Close Hill area of the town received letters about the curfew - part of an ongoing campaign to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The letters asked parents to ensure that 16-year-olds were off the streets by 9pm and under-10s were at home by 8pm.

Neighbourhood beat manager Pc Marc Griffin said today: "The operation has now entered its fifth week and initial results are very encouraging.

"Feedback from the community has been extremely positive and it would appear that there has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and juvenile victims of crime.

"We have seen an increase in parental supervision over the past few weeks which has been welcomed by the community.

"Only a small number of young people have been out unsupervised beyond the times of the voluntary curfew, with a number of these not living in the Close Hill area," he said.

At a meeting on September 8, members of the community will have the chance to discuss the initiative and raise any questions, concerns or ideas they may have.

During the curfew period, Pc Griffin, Police Community Support Officers and representatives of other agencies involved have been on the streets.

The voluntary scheme is the brainchild of Redruth's neighbourhood Devon and Cornwall policing team with the support of other agencies and residents.

The patrols have been talking to parents and carers of any young people found out after the curfew times.