Drunk teen apologises to town
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success.
Devon and Cornwall Police Superintendent Julie Whitmarsh said: "Sending the children home delivered a very strong message about how we deal with young people who place themselves at risk as a result of drinking alcohol.
“I was really pleased when Inspector Folland told me that one of the children had written to us.
"It helps to know that our hard work to try to prevent further tragedies from happening was understood and appreciated."
The Newquay Safe Partnership reported mixed responses from parents who received contact from Newquay Police in response to their children behaving in an anti-social manner.
Some were "apologetic" and came to Newquay to pick their children up immediately, while others were also on holiday, and others still were "as petulant as their drunk children".
John Higgins, whose 16-year-old son died after falling from Newquay cliffs last year, recognises that parents are a large part of the problem.
He said: "The message I have been trying to help get out since Paddy's death is that we all have to recognise our responsibilities to ourselves and others.
"Police face an uphill struggle though when parents send their children away with ridiculous excesses of alcohol - as has been recently publicised - or when over 18s supply underage people with alcohol once they arrive.
"This is almost impossible for the police to manage."
In July, when the majority of young people visit Newquay for holidays, over 1,000 cans and bottles of alcohol were confiscated from under age drinkers.
Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council cabinet member for community safety and neighbourhoods said: “We are aware of our responsibilities and introduced our new safeguarding scheme to help teenagers like the young lady who has written to us.
"It is encouraging to know that the teenagers themselves are aware of and appreciate our efforts."
