Police urge parents to say no to antisocial presents this Christmas

Police are asking parents not to buy youngsters presents that could be used in antisocial behaviour

Greater Manchester Police is asking parents to help people in the county have a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year by refusing to buy youngsters presents that could be used in antisocial behaviour.

These include off-road bikes, replica and ball bearing guns, knives, alcohol, and fireworks. Antisocial behaviour with these items have led to thousands of complaints to the police this year, and in many cases the confiscation of the offending items.

Top of the list of presents that cause annoyance in the community are off-road bikes that include mini-bikes, quad bikes, mini-motos, electric scooters, buzz boards and go-peds. These can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission - riding them anywhere else is illegal.

Riding a motorbike on roads requires the motorbike to be built for road use, have a valid MOT, registration documents and road tax. The rider must be aged over 16, be adequately insured and wear an approved safety helmet. Many parents are not aware of these extra necessary costs when agreeing to buy the bikes, and do not realise that together they can be more than double the cost of the bikes.

Motorbikes being ridden illegally can be confiscated and destroyed. In many instances they present a real danger to riders who are not adequately trained in their use or maintenance, and also to other road users and pedestrians. Huge public concern about anti-social behaviour with motorbikes in the last year have led to many police forces targeting their illegal use.

Ball bearing (BB) guns and imitation firearms are also on Santa’s list of potentially problem presents and can be confiscated and destroyed if they are reported to be causing alarm in the community.

Dozens of young people perceived to be engaging in threatening behaviour with imitation firearms and ball bearing guns have been reported to the police, who in some instances have no alternative but to call in police specialist firearms units.

Antisocial behaviour with replica and ball bearing guns has been, and will continue to be, targeted by the police. Handling replica and ball bearing firearms can lead to an acceptance of gun culture, and has resulted in some tragic accidents involving young people in the last few years. Carrying knives present the same dangers and can lead to situations getting out of hand.

Possession of any kind of fireworks by anyone under 18 is an offence and can lead to antisocial behaviour and dangerous horse-play that can result in horrific injuries.

A good proportion of antisocial and violent behaviour is found to be alcohol linked. Parents are being encouraged to ensure that if young people must have an alcoholic drink over the festive period, that they do this at home and to a responsible level.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan from Greater Manchester Police said: “ Presents are traditionally given at this time of year to bring joy and happiness to young people and those around them. The wrong choice of presents, however, can have the opposite effect, cause a nuisance and make life miserable, and even dangerous for family, friends and the wider community.

“I would urge and parents to look carefully at what young people are asking for, stand firm against pester power and refuse to let them have potentially anti-social and dangerous presents this Christmas. By everyone taking their responsibilities seriously we can all hopefully have a merry Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year”.