Concern over drinking parties at Shropshire beauty spot

Large groups of youngsters, many aged under 18, have been taking large quantities of alcohol to gatherings on the Earl's Hill nature reserve, near Pontesbury.

On Friday night, the Local Policing Team intercepted 16 young people - 11 boys and five girls - in the grounds of Mary Webb School, as they were making their way onto the nearby hill. Police Constable Jon Summerfield and CSO Angie Roberts confiscated dozens of cans of lager together with several bottles of vodka and other spirits.

They fear the safety of the youngsters is being put at risk, especially as so many are underage. The officers will continue a campaign of enforcement and education, urging parents to give their support.

PC Summerfield said the 16 young people stopped on Friday were aged between 15 and 18 and were not from the immediate Pontesbury area. "However, we were aware that local youths had already gone onto the hill.

"Last year, there were regular parties on the hill, creating a large amount of litter, mainly beer cans and spirit bottles. There have already been two parties this year and we believe young people will continue to go to the location on a regular basis.

"On Friday, the group were spoken to about the dangers and the alcohol seized. Their parents were also contacted on the night and advised of the details. Anti-social behaviour letters will be sent to them regarding their children's activities. On the whole, the parents were very supportive and in some cases, collected their children."

PC Summerfield said litter was one problem but the main concern was over safety, with young people gathering in a remote area to drink alcohol.

"We will be carrying out regular patrols and asking local shops not to sell alcohol to young people. We would also appeal to parents to ensure they know exactly where their children are, as many had told their parents they were stopping with friends."

Local Policing Sergeant Darren Smith said parents needed to be more intrusive in checking out their children's stories. "They are often told their children are going to a sleep-over, supervised by a friend's parents at their home - but this is clearly not always so. Parents have a duty to check and not just accept it as fact".

He said they also needed to consider the risk of providing children with alcohol, whatever the reasons given. "There is simply no excuse for providing young people under the age of 18 with alcohol".

Sergeant Smith added: "Having mixed groups of youngsters of various ages in a remote location, unsupervised and with alcohol thrown into the equation, is an obvious recipe for trouble and the police will do all they can to prevent these events taking place. We ask parents to do the same in the interests of their children."