Police urge students to celebrate safely (From Dudley News)

Police urge students to celebrate safely

8:30am Thursday 16th August 2012 in News

POLICE are reminding students to celebrate safely today as A-Level results are announced.

Officers will also be stepping up patrols on colleges and will shift their focus to parks and spaces where youngsters usually congregate, and are urging young people to enjoy their celebrations safely and to know their alcohol limits.

Superintendent Mark Payne, force lead for children and young people, said: "Achieving great exam results, leaving college and moving onto the next stage in your life is a wonderful cause for celebration for any teenager.

"It's not surprising the first reaction for many is to let off some steam - but that can’t manifest itself in drunken, anti-social behaviour. If it does, they run the risk of being arrested. The last thing we want is for anyone to end up committing drunken offences and potentially picking up a conviction which could affect future university or employment applications.”

Police have issued a list of safety advice for students, which include not drinking and driving, being aware of your surroundings, keeping belongings close and not leaving drinks unattended.

Officers are also urging young people to make sure they let their parents know where you are going to be and to avoid shortcuts like alleyways, waste ground and wooded areas.