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10:03 GMT, Thursday, 24 July 2008 11:03 UK

Curfew 'successful' before launch

Youths wearing hooded jackets

Organisers of a voluntary curfew in a Cornish town have claimed success before it is officially launched.

Operation Goodnight, which begins on Friday, is part of an ongoing campaign to reduce anti-social behaviour in Redruth over the summer holiday period.

Parents are being encouraged to have under 10s home by 2000 BST and 16-year-olds off the streets by 2100 BST.

"We have seen parents in the park with their children, which has never happened before," Ann Mitchell said.

The chairman of the local Helping Hands Residents' Association said there had already been fewer problems with children late at night.

"A lot of parents have been talking about it - the general consensus is it is a good idea"
Councillor Clive Bray

"That is what we are trying for - to get parents to be responsible for their children," Ms Mitchell said.

Letters explaining the scheme, which will run until 7 September, have been delivered to about 600 homes in the Close Hill area of Redruth.

Ms Mitchell said problems in the area have included foul and abusive language and vandalism.

"Elderly people have had stones thrown at their windows and balls kicked at their doors," she said.

"The majority of youngsters are lovely, but there is a handful which are the problem.

"It does not help that the area is one of the most deprived in Cornwall."

Redruth town councillor Clive Bray said Operation Goodnight appears to have had an impact ahead of the launch.

Human rights

"A lot of parents have been talking about it - the general consensus is it is a good idea," he said.

Multi-agency patrols will be out on the streets from Friday and will talk to parents and carers of any young people found out on their own after the curfew times.

Extra activities, such as football coaching sessions, have been organised.

However the scheme has been criticised by teenager David Callahan.

The 17-year-old, who is a member of the Youth Parliament in Cornwall, said it was a breach of human rights and unjustified unless young people were causing a nuisance.




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Related to this story:
Curfew scheme 'breaches rights' (09 Jul 08 |  Cornwall )
Foreign students' safety curfew (01 Aug 06 |  Southern Counties )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Devon & Cornwall Police
Redruth North Partnership
Redruth Town Council
Youth Parliament: Cornwall forum
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