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Updated 06 April 2004, 18.33 
Kids living in a town in Cumbria are going to be enjoying quiet nights in during the Easter holidays, because they're going to be banned from going out!
Police have put a 9pm curfew into place, and during the holidays anyone under the age of 16 on the streets between 9pm and 6am will be taken home.
Do you think it's a good idea?
Is it unfair to take away kids freedom, or should they be at home at that time of night anyway?
Whatever you think, we want to know about it.
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
 I think that it is not fair! The parents give their children a curfew not police. The club I go to finishes at 9 o'clock and it takes me half an hour to get home! My mum thinks that the police are taking it a bit too far. Jemma, 14, Cumbria
I don't think it is fair in one way because with it being the Easter holidays you should be to stay out a little bit later than usual. The scheme should only be used on school nights when kids have to go to school the next day. Ashleigh, 12, Hebburn
I think it is silly because people go to friends houses and sometimes walk home late. Also if you are public transport the bus or train might be late. Nicola, 11, Wallington
How stupid can the law get. I don't go out late but many do. People will break out to be cool. The police will have even more trouble. Rachael, 13, Fife
I think it's a GREAT idea! Most nights I have to sit here and hear big groups of people swear at the top of their voices and it is SO irritating! I think they should put a curfew in all of London defiantly! Kat, 13, London
Er, when are the police gonna stop interfering with our private lives? If we want to be out after 9pm, and we're not causing any trouble, then they have NO right to take us home! Jennifer, 10, Essex
Curfews are a good idea because it stops people misbehaving and keeps everyone safe. Hannah, 14, Sheffield
I think giving people curfews might just encourage them to break it, coz they might think it would make them cool.
Sarah, 14, London
IT'S EXTREMELY STUPID!!! You can't have fun on school nights and going out is what holidays are for!!!
Lucy, 11, Belgium
I think this law is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. I understand if large gangs are breaking the law, the police should split them up, but not every group of three or more kids hanging around together are actually doing anything wrong. They're just punishing innocent people. Liz, 13, London
Kids should be able to hang about the streets as long as there is no trouble from them. I do hang round in a big group but we don't cause trouble. If a kid is out after nine pm and the parents say it is ok then the police will have to listen to that or the parents are not going to like it if their child is being taken home by the police for being out after nine pm. I do not think this law will stop youth of today hanging round in big groups and after nine pm. Dione, 14, Manchester
I think they should leave us alone and let us do what we want in our own time, I mean sure it's dangerous times but if we have our wits about us and act smart then we should be fine. I hang out with my mates at night but cause no trouble so if this law was enforced it would be totally unfair!!!
Gemma, 14, Wallasey
I'm not overall that worried because when I go out I don't cause trouble and stay close to home. Isabelle, 14, Birmingham
I think the new laws are stupid. I agree large groups of teenagers hanging on the streets can be intimidating for the public but taking them home after nine o'clock is unfair. Not all kids that are out are causing trouble. I agree if large groups of kids are hanging around and upsetting the public they should be moved on but that's it and they certainly shouldn't be taken home. Most kids would just go out again and often parents would prefer if their kids were out anyway so they are not going to stop them. It's just unfair and a waste of police time!! Lucy, 14, Isle of Wight
It's a bit scary when you walk down a street and you can see a big gang hanging around because you don't no what they are going to do. Sarah, 14, Birmingham
I think it really unfair! Us kids nowadays never have any fun and I agree with some of the others that we are already banned from loads of stuff. As long as they don't seem to be making any trouble. Steph, 13, Burnley
I think this law is a good one. Many kids are out on the streets late at night. They often do things like vandalising areas and bullying other children. Saz, 10, Winchester
I think people can be quite intimidating and I keep my head down when I walk past people like that so as not to give them a reason to harm me. Though a couple of times on my way to school I have had abuse hurled at me for absolutely no reason at all. Amelie, 11, West Midlands
I think children age 8-10 should be taken home at 8:30pm if still out, and children age 10-14 should be taken home at 9:30 if they are still out, and age 14-16 should be taken home at 10:30 if they are still out. But I think it's a good thing the police are doing that as it would stop a lot of violence between children! Lucy, 12, Exmouth
I think kids should be allowed to hang around if they are near their home and their parents know. I don't think it is right sending them home because they could have a hard time at home and that's why they are out! Jennifer, 12, Glasgow
I agree with the law completely, and I think it is the most magnificent thing that has ever happened in the history of parliament! I completely agree with the law. Matthew, 15, Birmingham
Teenagers are going to hang around the streets no matter what. Jemma, 12, Houston
Define hanging around... is walking to the local shop with 3 of your mates "hanging around"? Emma, 15, Sheffield
I think kids should be able to hang out especially if they are doing nothing wrong. A lot of teenagers usually hang out after 9pm and that's a stupid curfew time. Also in the big cities i.e. London, Glasgow, it may be safer for kids to hang out in groups instead of pairs. Mark, 11, Milton Keynes
I think kids should be allowed to hang around as long as they aren't causing or getting into any trouble, then I don't see the problem! Emma, 13, Herts
Sure some gangs at night are violent but that doesn't mean everyone is. This rule is really unfair there are already too many safety rules around and kids can't just enjoy themselves. Definitely not. Lara, 13, Birmingham
I think it's a good idea, we have a lot of problems here with gangs but the police can't do much so if they have these powers it might help solve a lot of these problems. Paul, 15, Glasgow
Me and my mates have never hung about on street corners, when we're together we either go to a restaurant or walk around. What's the point in just standing and getting cold? I think that as long as the police don't abuse this new power, it'll make people feel safer and only a few kids will get ticked off. Joey, 15
Once again, its the "bad" people spoiling it for everyone else. Taking you home after 9pm if you're without an adult is also pathetic, aren't teenagers simply allowed to "be" ??? Lou, 15, Norwich
When I go into town I will go into shops with my mates and then we will just sit down and hang out we aren't doing any harm but people seem to think we are. I think people are to quick to judge we haven't got anything better to do where I live. Abbie, 13, Oxfordshire
Forty years ago, adults would have thought nothing about children and teenagers playing/ chilling out in the street on their own. Now, with all the publicity on child abductions, drug abuse, alcoholism, gun crime etc, we know longer really have our freedom even though it is only a few people who are seriously affected by these things. Clare, 14, Essex
I think kids should be allowed to hang out but only if they're not breaking the law like smoking or shouting abuse and intimidating people Jenny, 14, Bristol
What else can kids do apart from hang around? Kids only hang around because there is nothing else to do. But there are teenagers who hang around and drink alcohol which is wrong. Karen, 14, Belfast
Where else can we go? I mean in my area we don't have much to do. Lauren, 11, Glasgow
I think they should be allowed if there not causing any trouble but if they are causing trouble they should be sent home. Annie, 11, Redditch
I think people should be allowed to hang out. Especially if they aren't doing nothing wrong. Leave them alone. There are so many stereotypes that c a group of young teenagers and automatically think they r doing something wrong. I h8 when my parents do it. Leave us alone! I think the police should patrol the streets in three's if they r that afraid and only arrest, caution and fine people for actual crimes, not just 4 hanging on the street comer when there is nothing else 2 do. Covie, 13, Birmingham
Of course we should be able to hang around at our favourite places. If we're not gonna be allowed, I think we will be forced 2 have a life of staying in all the time because our parents are scared of what might happen because of all the bad reports going out on the news! When the truth is it's not all that bad!
Laura, 14, Rochdale
I think we should be allowed to hang around as long as our parents give us a curfew and know where we are. Sinead, 12, Ireland
I agree with Rose from London I don't like walking past a group of teenage boys. My friend lives in a rough part and I don't like going down there as there are council houses and boys smoking, so I don't think people should hang out, except people who aren't horrible, like the people that spray-paint things. Hannah, 11, Hailsham
I think that will cause more kids trouble than just leaving the subject alone! Addie, 14, USA
I think we should be allowed to hang around corners. After school or before cadets, there isn't much else to do. Merrie, 12, Tenby
Part of being a kid is sitting around and doing nothing and chilling with friends. Shaly
, 13, Essex
I think it's a total waste of time for the government. If kids like to hang out, then they should let them. Saffi, 13, Loughborough
I hang around by my house but I don't like people who hang around by shops on the corner of roads. It's just silly. Gemma, 14, Liverpool
Of course we should be allowed, because only a very small number of us are trouble makers.
Jess, 12, Dorset
I agree with the law if there is evidence that group of kids hassle anyone. But otherwise it's silly.
Hazel, 12, Cambridge
Why make the majority suffer for what the minority do? Since when has it been illegal to hang around.
Toby, 13, Warrington
What if a kid wants to buy spray paint for an art project, hmm? In my opinion, kids should be able to hang around corners.
Katherine, 12, USA
It's kinda scary when walking and you see a group of teenagers. They make you feel really uncomfortable and threatened even if you know one of them.
Rose, 15, London
It's not fair, cos I think kids should have the right to hang out at any place.
Brandon, 11, USA
I get scared walking past groups of kids hanging around. You always think they're going to throw stuff or shout abuse at you.
Charlie, 14, Chester
Lot of kids hang around and get involved in crime. I think there should be some sort of curfew introduced by the government.
Asif, 15, Keighley
That is just a silly law, what do people think you are doing when you go shopping with your mates? You are "hanging around"!
Sophie, 15, Newcastle
I think that it's a really silly rule because everybody likes to hang about and I always meet up with my friends.
Becky, 12, Gloucester
Kids near my house set off fireworks in a phone box and kicked the phone until it broke. Where's the fun in that?
Laura, 13, Rotherham
Sure kids should be allowed to "hang around!" Loads of kids do it, because it's a place to meet up with mates. It don't mean they are up to no good.
Ria, 15, Staines
I can understand why adults don't like teenagers hanging around because they may look suspicious, but most of us aren't hanging around to cause trouble, we just want to hang with our friends.
Cara, 15, Reading
Lots of teenagers 'hang around' and they think it's cool but it's not. I think that teens should be at home before 9.30 pm.
Stuart, 13, Halifax
I'm worried that if they make it a crime to hang around or buy spray paint, then more kids will do it because of the thrill that it's illegal. Robert, 14, Bradford
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