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09:47 GMT, Monday, 8 September 2008 10:47 UK

Town's youth curfew 'a success'

Police and teenagers in Redruth

A youth curfew banning under-16s from going out late at night in a Cornish town was hailed a success by police.

Operation Goodnight started in Redruth in July and meant youngsters could not be on the streets after 2100 BST unless an adult was with them.

Police said it had reduced crime by 50% and anti-social behaviour by 60% compared with the same period in 2007.

But some youngsters claimed they suffered under the six-week pilot as it was older teenagers causing problems.

'Mucking around'

The voluntary curfew was part of a campaign to reduce anti-social behaviour over the summer holidays.

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

One boy, who did not want to be named, said the curfew had been a "sort of a good thing and a bad thing".

He said many of the young children would only have been up until 2200 BST, so an hour earlier was not so much of a problem.

However, he added: "But I don't think it's the little kids that misbehave. It's the older ones that muck around and wreck it for the younger ones."

No official figures have been released yet, but police said early indications were that there had been a decrease in reported levels of anti-social behaviour.

"The community wanted it to work "
Barbara Ellenbrook, mayor

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Officers involved say that the apparent success of the scheme is testament to the manner in which the community itself has embraced and been very much part of the delivery of the operation."

Town mayor Barbara Ellenbrook added that it had to be carried out with local co-operation, otherwise it would not have been successful.

She said: "There have been a lot of people keen to try and make it out that it's the police trying to impose things on the community, and stuff about being politically correct and human rights.

"But, at the end of the day, the community wanted it to work and they made it work."

A period of community consultation is to take place during which residents will be given an opportunity to provide feedback.

Other police forces across England are monitoring the success of the scheme.



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Related to this story:
Redruth curfew two weeks on (08 Aug 08 |  UK )
Town curfew is coming to an end (07 Sep 08 |  Cornwall )
Peaceful start for youth curfew (26 Jul 08 |  Cornwall )
Curfew 'successful' before launch (24 Jul 08 |  Cornwall )
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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