CUMBRIA Police have asked youngsters to enjoy their half-term holidays in a responsible manner and avoid participating in activities and behaviour that can cause distress to others.

School holidays tend to see a rise in the amount of anti-social behaviour incidents police deal with during the year.

In the 2013 February half-term, police received 539 reports of anti-social behaviour across the county. This was an increase from the previous year where 465 reports were made during the February half-term holiday.

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said: “The stats underline why we are focusing on this issue during the week. We talk to young people on a regular basis in order to prevent anti-social behaviour and how to enjoy the half term holidays in a safe and responsible way.

“We ask the community to be tolerant over the week as there will be more children around who will be playing in the area. We urge youngsters to be considerate of other people by playing sports in designated parks and by keeping the noise down at night if they are socialising in residential areas.

“If they do cross the line and start to become a nuisance or cause damage, then police will intervene.”

Police use numerous tactics in the battle against anti-social behaviour involving people of all ages. One of the tactics used to tackle youth anti-social behaviour is community resolutions which provide the Police with a timely, effective and transparent means for dealing with lower level crime and anti-social incidents.

Other methods include ‘Staysafe’ initiatives, the ‘It’s Your Choice’ scheme and the ‘Friday Night Project’ which provides free youth activities on a Friday night in locations across West Cumbria.

The methods Cumbria Constabulary are using are having an effect. In 2010, Police received 11,196 reports of incidents classed as youth anti-social behaviour; in 2013 the figure was 5,515 which is a reduction of 50.7%.

Chief Superintendent Johnson added: “Half-term is a week for the county’s youngsters to relax, socialise and enjoy themselves. We ask that they do this without getting into trouble with the Police.”

Richard Rhodes, the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “School holidays are always a time of great excitement and it is important to be behave responsibly and think about others as well.”

People will see key messages across all of the social media outlets of Cumbria Constabulary, from Twitter and Facebook to Community Messaging. To link into any of these accounts, please visit: http://www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/social-networking.