What are we doing about problems in relation to anti-social behaviour and alcohol use among young people?
The Community Safety Partnership in Rhondda Cynon Taf have set up an initiative known as 'the Friday Night Project'. This project has been set up to bring a number of different agencies together. This includes staff from agencies who have an involvement with dealing with youth related anti social, and criminal behaviour.
The Youth Pilot initiative aims to address not just the crime and disorder associated with young people consuming alcohol, but with the addition of youth work professionals looks at issues of youth provision and the harm caused by excessive drinking.
Areas in Rhondda Cynon Taf that are suffering from alcohol related anti social behaviour are identified, and then initiatives and plans are set up to bring the relevant agencies together to tackle these problems, out in the community where the problems are occurring.
The key agencies involved are Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority, South Wales Police, Youth Offending Service, Detached Youth Workers, British Transport Police, Licensing officers, trading standards, and anti social behaviour officers. These agencies then work together in an area, to address the problems, looking at the issues from a number of different angles. Where alcohol related youth annoyance is identified, the team will go out to identified hotspots and carry out a range of activities.
These will usually include:
- consulting with and supporting victims of anti social behaviour in the area,
- providing advice to young people on safety issues and services available to them,
- seizure of alcohol,
- anti social behaviour referrals and enforcement action against persons causing anti social behaviour,
- enforcement against off licences and public houses that are selling alcohol to underage persons,
- working with local neighbourhood police teams to try and prevent the problems occurring again in the future.
If you are experiencing problems similar to this report it to your local police officer, PCSO or local housing officers who can make the relevant referral to the partnership.
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Where can young people go to socialise that is not centred around drinking?
One of the answers locally has been the Blue Light Discos. The venue is the Michael Sobell Sports Centre function room, Aberdare, every fortnight on a Friday for 12-16 year olds. Phone the venue for further details.
The following dates are confirmed till April:
Jan 9th, Jan 23rd, Feb 6th, Feb 20th, Mar 6th and March 20th .
They have also been taking place at Club Fusion at Ynyshir.
As these are run locally, if you are involved in running these and you would like to post details on this website, email us at contact@substancemisuserct.co.uk but remember to leave contact details.
| Chief medical officers guidance - the chief medical officer for England and Wales have produced a guideline on the age at which young people can drink without threatening their health - the headline in the document is that children should have an alcohol-free childhood up to the age of fifteen. For the other recommendations click here. |
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What to do if you come across discarded syringes?
Discarded syringes are as much an area of concern for Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC as for any other council. If syringes are discovered the council will treat your call as a priority and will endeavour to come and collect them within 24 hours. The numbers to phone are 01443 494700 (day time) or 01685 876831 (out of hours).
You are advised not to touch the items.
In case of needlestick injury ;-
- Do not suck the injured area
- Encourage bleeding if the needle has broken the skin by squeezing
- Wash the injured area with soap and water and cover with a plaster; and
- Seek medical advice as soon as possible from your GP or local Accident and Emergency department
(This advice was completed in line with government guidance - Tackling Drug Related Litter Guidance and Good Practice. Oct 2005. DEFRA)
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