Virtual Lancaster

Parents are being told to take more responsibility for their children after foot patrol officers had to call a patrol car to take away 50 bottles of alcohol confiscated from youngsters in a Morecambe park.

Officers are being called to an increasing number of anti-social behaviour incidents caused by teenagers in and around Morecambe’s Happy Mount Park. Often these incidents are booze-fuelled – with the youngsters’ parents having no idea what their children are up to late at night.

PCSOs, who are joint funded by the police and Morecambe Town Council, and neighbourhood police team officers have stepped up patrols in the area and have seized a significant amount of alcohol from youths in the park after hours.

“These youths have caused problems for local residents by congregating in the park after dark,” says Sergeant Lindsay Brown said, “causing noise nuisance and behaving in an anti-social manner.

“On one occasion patrolling officers had to call in a patrol car to move the amount of alcohol seized from a group of 40 youths because there was so much of it – over 50 bottles of wine, beer and vodka. Many bags of alcohol were also found hidden in the bushes.

Because of the problems, officers will be taking positive action wherever possible which may include issuing the youngsters with a warning or a direction to leave the area for up to 48 hours. Youths may also be taken home to their parents and could face arrest and prosecution if criminal offences are committed.

“Parents should know where their children are and what they are up to,” urged Sergeant Brown. “If they are drinking alcohol, either with their parents’ knowledge or without it, then this leaves these youngsters vulnerable and susceptible to harm. Parents need to take responsibility and ensure their teenagers are warned of the consequences of this type of behaviour.”