Teenage night curfew experiment transforms life on Cornish estate
Last updated 9/10/2008 10:02:38 AM
An experiment to crackdown on neighbourhood misery has been credited with transforming life on an estate in Cornwall. Residents say that a voluntary curfew on under 16s has made a dramatic impact on levels of under age drinking, noise and rowdy behaviour.
The experimental scheme in Redruth has come to an end and residents will now be asked for their views. But it seems likely to resume after achieving impressive results.
The voluntary summer curfew, named Operation Goodnight, asked parents to make sure their youngsters were off the streets or under adult supervision by 8 o'clock for the under 11s and 9 for the under 17s.
Parents have worked with police on the scheme and as one resident explained: "It has become more of a friendly community again without having the abuse and the problems."
And an eleven year old child living on the estate said: "I'm not scared to go out to play and I'm not afraid to go to the shop on my own."