Halloween and Bonfire Night - Did you know?

The way you act could have a negative impact on other people’s lives. Your behaviour might not see like a problem to you but could upset other people, and could lead you in to trouble with the police.

Anti-social behaviour is any action that upsets someone else or makes them feel frightened or worried. Think about playing or hanging out with your friends. You might be laughing and mucking around together, having a good time but think about what that would feel like to someone walking past you who is on their own.
Swearing and bad language can be a crime under the Public Order Act as well as not being nice to hear. Certain words can be as scary to some people as bad behaviour. Try to imagine how other people would feel about the words that you use.
Writing or drawing graffiti on someone else’s property is criminal damage. It can make an area look like it isn’t looked after, which can make other people who see it feel unsafe. Some places have walls especially for youngsters to scrawl graffiti onto without getting into any trouble or upsetting anyone. Find out from your local council or Police Community Support Officer where these places are.
You can get a criminal record if you have been arrested and fined, taken to court or given a reprimand or final warning. A caution is an official police warning. A criminal record is permanent and can restrict your travelling, holidays and future work prospects.
If you are involved in anti-social behaviour the police may take you name and address the first time you are caught. If you are caught again they may see your parents or carers. If you continue to cause trouble the Youth Offending Team (YOT) may see you and will try to keep you out of trouble.
Anyone aged ten or over can be arrested and taken to a police station if a police officer thinks they have committed a crime. They will be questioned by police, with a parent or carer with them, and may end up being given a formal warning (called a ‘caution’) or charged with a crime which means they have to go to court.