Teens face town curfew

The curfew would be restricted to Oakley Road, Corby

Police are considering plans to impose a curfew on youngsters under the age of 15 in a Northamptonshire town.

Talks are still under way but if civic authorities agree, then Corby will be the first English town to ban youths from the street at night.

The restrictions would run from 2100 to 0600 BST if they come into effect in May.

Trials of the scheme will last 90 days and cover the Oakley Road area of the town which has seen a large number of robberies and muggings by young people.

It could be used to protect the children themselves and improve the quality of life for the residents of that particular area

Ch Supt Ian McNeill

Chief Superintendent Ian McNeill, the force's northern area commander, said a curfew was just one option which may reduce crime.

He said: "It could be used to protect the children themselves and improve the quality of life for the residents of that particular area.

"Local officers have been working hard over the last few months to foster effective working relationships with Corby Borough Council and other agencies in order to improve the quality of life for the people living in the town."

Scheme criticised

The legislation allowing councils to impose curfews for the the under-15s came into force in August last year.

Ch Supt McNeill said: "Northamptonshire Police is determined a minority of individuals should not be allowed to disproportionately impact the quality of life of the residents of Corby or any other town."

Some critics of the curfew plans have voiced concerns that youngsters could find themselves being stigmatised.

A spokesman for the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders has previously called the scheme "unworkable".