East Cheshire have introduced a Yellow Card system which is a pilot scheme being used to tackle crime and disorder amongst young people.
These Yellow Cards, otherwise known as Young Person Notification forms, are being carried by Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Cheshire East Council Community Wardens.
The cards are being used to take down the details of any youths caught drinking alcohol or groups of youths who are considered to be making a nuisance of themselves. Completed cards are then forwarded to the Cheshire East Anti-Social Behaviour Unit who inform the parents.
Any youths caught for the second time will have a final letter sent to their parents, after which the family will either receive a visit from a Police Officer or a multi-agency panel will meet to decide upon an action plan.
The process can eventually lead to the youth involved receiving an ASBO, an Acceptable Behaviour Contract or in some cases, action over the tenancy of the family home.
Laura Woodrow, the Team Leader on Anti –Social Behaviour for Cheshire East said, “Yellow Cards are all about early intervention. We aim to prevent young people drifting into anti social behaviour. When the letters go to the parents from the local Anti Social Behaviour Coordinator, they have the coordinator’s name and contact number on them. The parents can call and get more details or discuss the issue.”
Laura explained “The Yellow Cards will be evaluated in January. We have sent 300 letters out since the pilot began. That is a substantial increase on previous numbers”.
Pictured above are Constable Jessica Kusiar shows a yellow card. With Coun. Brian Silvester and the Team Leader on Anti Social Behaviour in Cheshire East, Laura Woodrow.
