Saltash Police Issue Warning Ahead of Churchtown Farm Gatherings

GCSE exams are over and plenty of Saltash teenagers will be heading to Churchtown Farm this evening to celebrate. The local police are happy for them to enjoy it. They just have a few things they would rather not see again.

Congratulations, then a few requests

The Saltash Neighbourhood Team congratulated the students and families who had got through exam season and said it wanted everyone to have a safe and enjoyable summer. Officers said they had been made aware that young people were planning to head to Churchtown Farm this evening and over the weekend.

The first request was a simple one. Anyone taking rubbish along should bring a bag for it and leave it by the bins on the way home. The team said it did not want a repeat of the mess seen in previous years.

A warning to parents about alcohol

The team had a direct message for parents buying alcohol for their children. It asked them to consider letting their children drink at home instead, where parents can take responsibility for their behaviour and welfare.

The reason was spelled out. Last year some children became very unwell after being given alcohol by their parents to take to Churchtown Farm. Officers suggested that lower alcohol drinks may be more suitable and pointed out that children are affected more than adults.

Concern over nitrous oxide

Officers also said they had been advised that some young people had been trying to source nitrous oxide. It is a class C drug and possession is illegal. The team warned it can cause hypoxia, anxiety, confusion and even death.

Anyone found with it, they said, would be dealt with robustly.

Police on patrol over the weekend

Officers will be patrolling Churchtown Farm to keep people safe and head off any anti-social behaviour, and they asked young people to say hello when they see them. The team said it had no wish to ruin anyone’s fun and asked people to be responsible and “think of the wider community and how your behaviour affects others.”