PARENTS in Flintshire have been urged to speak to their children ahead of the Easter holidays in order to tackle anti-social behaviour.

In a message sent home to parents, Flintshire South Sergeant Kerry Nash said in the worst case scenario, an interview under caution or even arrest could follow incidents involving youths.

Sgt Nash said: "As a team we are always looking for new ways to reach out to the community and as part of a new joint working initiative we are linking in with local High Schools in order to reach out to parents and carers.

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"The focus of this message is around anti-social behaviour (ASB) as the Easter Holidays are now upon us.

"As a team we are keen to prevent the increase in anti-social behaviour which is traditionally seen during the school holiday period.

"Over the past few months there has been increased focus on ASB in certain areas of Flintshire South; where there was a particular problem and in Buckley this culminated in a dispersal order, as a community policing team preventing your children from being out together is the last thing we want to do.

The Leader: A North Wales Police car A North Wales Police car (Image: North Wales Police (NWP))

"We would therefore like to request that you support us in preventing this sort of behaviour.

"As children I’m sure the vast majority have played games such as 'knock door run' etc - however times have moved on and if these sorts of incidents are reported to North Wales Police then they now are categorised as ASB and would have to be dealt with by an officer or a PCSO."

Sgt Nash advised parents of the 'yellow card' system where incidents such as these would culminate in a yellow card being issued and a referral being put in to the Youth Justice Service.

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She continued: "A yellow card is utilised for incidents where there is no criminal offence but where there is evidence of ASB so would fit the above example of 'knock door run'.

"Where there is evidence of criminal offences being committed then these matters would need to be dealt with more formally and could, in the worst case scenario, result in an interview under caution or even arrest.

"A good example of this is the recent Tik Tok craze where children have been encouraged to kick doors in order to leave a footprint on the door – this would be classed as criminal damage and due to the increase in CCTV and Ring doorbell footage often there is irrefutable evidence.

"We are keen to avoid criminalising children for having a bit of fun and therefore are asking you, as parents, to have a discussion with your children about the difference between acceptable behaviour and ASB.

"We offer a Community alert system which can inform you of the incidents ongoing in your area."