Under-18s targeted over fears for welfare
Police are to stop young people on the streets and take them away to answer questions.
In a controversial operation, extra officers will be drafted into Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, to talk to under-18s from 5pm tomorrow.
The youngsters will be asked to accompany officers to face a panel of experts, including health workers and social services staff, who will question them about their welfare.
And if it is decided a child is at risk of 'significant harm' at home they can be put into police protection and handed to social services. Police say the exercise is about protecting children and looking out for their welfare, but some parents are worried about the operation.
Similar tactics were used in Liverpool in the wake of the shooting dead of 11-year-old Rhys Jones. The operation could soon be extended across the city, but officers say Paulsgrove has been targeted first because it is a place where high numbers of young people congregate and it is believed some of them may be vulnerable.
Sgt Sean Duffy, from the Paulsgrove safer neighbourhood team, said: 'If we do believe that they are vulnerable we will then use social services, youth services, health and education people and they will speak to that young person on the night and make an assessment of that young person's needs, just to see that they are okay.
'Then we will contact the parents and let them know that we have spoken to them.
'It's really about protecting the young people and looking after their welfare.
'If a child is exposed to significant harm there's the chance the child could be taken into police protection and given to social services to make a more formal assessment.
'If we believe a child is at risk we are not just going to let them stay with their parents, like Baby P, so that something dreadful can happen.
'We are protecting children. It's about the welfare of young people, not us taking a heavy-handed approach to children playing on the streets.
'No parent should be concerned that we are going to take their child into care or make a judgment on their parenting skills. It's about making sure children are safe.'
Portsmouth City Council has been given money by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to fund the operation. Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'The police have a duty to help young people in significant harm. It's a good idea for the police to be out on the streets encouraging kids to be safe.'
CONCERN EXPRESSED
There was a mixed reaction from people in Paulsgrove about the police operation with many concerned at how quickly children could be taken into care.
Sally Stevens, 43, of Butterfly Drive, who has a 16-year-old son and a daughter, 13, said: 'It's wrong to just take the children off the streets. They should go and see the parents first.
'My main concern is that they can just take them and put them into care. Just because they are out on the streets doesn't mean they have got bad parents.'
Mike Hurley, 60, of Washbrook Road, said: 'It's draconian. Problems are always multi-faceted, and there are not enough provisions being made for youngsters as it is.
'On whose judgment are they being taken away? We should be supporting the professionals already helping them, like doctors and teachers.'
Jack Lytham, 73, of Cheltenham Road, said: 'The parents should have a warning before the children are put in care.You can't just pick a kid up off the street and whip them away.'
But not everyone was against the idea. One mum said: 'I'm having trouble with my 17-year-old son and I hope the police talk to him.
'He's hardly ever at home and when he is he just takes things. If they could sort him out it'd be good. I talk to him and he just doesn't say anything to me. He might listen to them.'
HOW THE OPERATION WILL WORK
Q - Who is the operation aimed at?
A - The police will be out between 5pm and midnight talking to those under the age of 18. Not all the young people police speak to will be asked to go to the centre to talk to the experts, only those the police think might need help.
Q - Why Paulsgrove?
A - The police are focusing on Paulsgrove because they say they know it's an area where a lot of young people go out at night. It was also chosen because it is one of a number of areas covered by a dispersal order.
Q - Do I have to go? What happens if I refuse?
A - The police, who will be in uniform, will initially ask people to attend the youth centre on a voluntary basis. However, they have the power to make them go if they believe the youngster is at risk of 'significant harm'.
If they have been drinking or engaged in anti-social behaviour then their parents will be contacted.
The parents will receive a follow-up letter from the police and Portsmouth City Council and an anti-social behaviour contract may be considered.
If it is after 9pm and the young person is under 16 and not with a responsible adult they will be removed from the dispersal order that covers the Allaway Avenue area by force if necessary and taken to the centre.
Q - If I want my parents to be there can that happen?
A - Yes, if the young person would like a parent there for the assessment they will be contacted and asked to attend.
Q - Can they put me into care?
A - The police have the power to take children into care under the Children Act 1989. The law says that if a child is in 'significant harm' it justifies intervention in family life. Officers will look at a number of factors, including the extent of any physical harm, abuse and neglect, threats and sexual abuse.
Q - Are any records kept of my conversation? If so, by whom? What can they be used for?
A - There will be representatives from social services, youth services, health and education at the centre, who will talk to the youngsters.
Social services will keep a record, which will be passed to the council's challenge and support team, who will forward it to the relevant department if further action is needed.
Q - Where will I be taken after the conversation?
A - No-one will be kicked out back on to the streets afterwards. Ideally, a parent will come to pick them up but the police will ensure they stay at a safe place, whether that is with a relative, friend or neighbour. If no-one is available to pick them up the police will drive them home.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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