I AM the Youth Action Officer in Harrogate and wish to bring to the public's attention some information regarding the young people of Harrogate and drinking and anti-social behaviour.

I have found that it is not the 'norm' for youths to drink. The statistics suggest that fewer young people are drinking; however, those that do drink consume more than ten years ago.

As a result of the recent Safer Neighbourhood Group Meetings, the public raised concerns that young people are gathering on the Stray on these sunny evenings and drinking alcohol. This in turn leads to behaviour that both the police and council have to deal with. Many parents are not aware that their children are behaving in this way and we hope to raise awareness and prevent any problems from a health and anti-social behaviour point of view.

One of the police responses is to write to parents if their son/daughter has been spoken to by a Police Officer/Community Support Officer. Parents and children are then invited to a Consequences Event at the Harrogate Magistrates Court.

The Consequences Event, which is held quarterly, is a multi-agency event involving the magistrates, 4Youth Service, HADA Harrogate, Alcohol & Drugs Agency, primary care trust, fire service, police, licensing department, Trading Standards and Targeted Youth Support.

The aim of the event is to make young people and parents aware of the consequences of young people drinking alcohol. We find some parents supply their children with beer and lager in the belief that it 'doesn't do any harm', but this is not an appropriate message. In addition there is an outreach worker who can work with families and young people.

The last Consequences event was held last Saturday with another scheduled for September. The next under-18 disco is to be held today (Friday) and it is anticipated several hundred young people will attend. Unfortunately, some teenagers turn up drunk to these events, which necessitates parents being asked to come to collect and assume responsibility for them.

There are lots of alternative activities for young people in and around Harrogate, and if the activity isn't there, funding is available for young people to apply for and set up the activity; 4Youth will help with this.