Concerns over teen drink and sex sessions

Inspector Umer Khan

Concerns over teenagers – as young as 13 and 14-years-old – getting drunk and having sex in public have been raised by one of Rochdale’s top police officers.

Rochdale North Inspector Umer Khan spoke of the problem at a meeting of Rochdale Township on Wednesday.

He told how police had been called to Denehurst Park where over 100 teenagers had congregated and spent the night drinking.

He highlighted fears of drink leading to other problems.

He told Councillors: “This alcohol abuse leads to other issues.

“When kids as young as 13 and 14 are getting drunk and engaging in sexual activity it is unacceptable.”

He added: “It is quite disturbing for me as a parent and a police officer for a 13-year-old to tell me that they have had consensual sex and it has happened before.”

Insp Khan said it is “unfortunate” that this is where we are in society and said the message needs to get to parents that they need to know where their children are going at weekend.

Councillors agreed there is a problem.

Councillor Shah Wazir said that whilst there is a problem there is another side to the issue.

He said: “When you talk to the youths all they say is there is nothing for them to do.”

Councillor Duckworth said that there needs to be a “complete culture change.”

And Councillor Neilson added: “We should not be cutting community centre budgets but increasing them so we can bring these people in.”