Young people banned from streets of Welsh city at night

New laws bar anyone under 16 from staying out late – but the move has come under fire from children’s groups.

THE CITY OF Bangor in north-west Wales has imposed a curfew on all young people, barring them from being on the streets at night.

The measure bans anyone under 16 from being out in the city centre between 9pm and 6am, unless they are with an adult.

Anyone breaking the curfew faces a maximum sentence of three months in jail, or a fine of up to €2500. Police officers will also have the power to order any group of more than two people to leave the area.

The curfew has been introduced after residents complained about antisocial behaviour and “groups congregating to drink in the area,” North Wales Police said in a statement. Inspector Simon Barrasford added:

Many people are working very hard to improve and regenerate the city centre as well as just wanting to enjoy their daily lives without being intimidated or harassed and I have no doubt dispersal orders areas will assist in that endeavour.

However, the move has come under fire from children’s groups and civil liberties campaigners.

The Welsh children’s commissioner Keith Towler told BBC News that the curfew “demonises under-16s, isolates them from their communities, alienates them from police and spreads the misconception that all young people are troublemakers”.

And the director of Big Brother Watch said the measure was “the kind of draconian law you would expect in North Korea, not North Wales,” the Telegraph reports.

What do you think? Would you like to see similar measures introduced in Irish cities?

Poll Results:

No (556)

Yes (483)

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Read: Junior minister under fire over ‘no work, no benefits’ call for young people>

Explainer: Why have just seven ASBOs been issued in Ireland in five years?>

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