Before the advent of mobile phones and social media, children tended to

congregate in small groups, usually with friends. Parents knew where their

children were and who they were with.

Many children now tend to gather in larger groups sometimes 30 to 40 in

number. They rarely know everyone in the group and it only takes a couple of

people to persuade the group to make bad decisions.

Could this be your daughter tonight?

Make arrangements with you child to “check in” on a regular basis.

Make a point of speaking to them when they come home to ensure they

are not under the influence and haven’t been exposed to harm.

If your child is staying with a friend overnight, confirm with the parents

that they have arrived safely.

As the weather improves children and young adults are starting to gather in larger numbers,

especially at weekends, drinking alcohol and often engaging in disorder, violence and anti

social behaviour.

“Showing off” and “carrying on” can quickly escalate into dangerous or even life

threatening behaviour especially when alcohol is involved. Our experience shows

that children in large groups can be exposed to bullying, violence, alcohol con-

sumption, drug taking, self harm and even sexual assault.

Your local problem solving teams deal regularly with such incidents in your area

and need your help to keep your children safe this summer.

DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE WHERE YOUR CHILD IS AND WHO THEY ARE HANGING ABOUT WITH?

Children usually obtain alcohol from older teenagers or ask adult strangers to buy it on their behalf. It has increasingly become

evident though that some parents are also supplying their children with alcohol and “dropping them off to have fun” with

their pals (this is never near to their home address). REMEMBER: Supplying alcohol to children is a criminal offence.

CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL TAKE GREATER RISKS

SUPPLYING ALCOHOL TO CHILDREN IS DANGEROUS AND IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE

Please help us to keep your child safe this summer.

Further advice and information can be obtained online from the Police Scotland website at www.scotland.police.uk or from your local police office.

Children can be exposed to violence

Working together to achieve the best with the people of East Dunbartonshire

Follow us on Twitter : @ EastDunbPolice

Police will visit the below hot spot areas on a regular basis

MILNGAVIE / BEARSDEN

Bearsden Ski Club

McDonalds, Bearsden

Allander Sports Centre

West of Scotland Rugby Club

Douglasmuir Quarry

Milngavie Reservoir, Quarry & Treatment Centre

School playgrounds

Milngavie Library

KIRKINTILLOCH / LENZIE

McDonalds—Kirkintilloch

The Bing

Merkland Nature Reserve

Merkland Football Pitches

Lenzie Moss

Tunnel of Love / viaduct

Millersneuk Primary School

Millersneuk area, Lenzie

Broomhill—Old Hospital Site

Stanley Park Railway Line Canal near to Cadder Bridge / Marley Tiles

Cycle Paths Scott Ave Park

It doesn't matter how strong a swimmer you are, there are several dangers that could be encoun-tered by swimming in reservoirs, Canals and Quar-ries.

It can be deep and there are often sudden drops which you cannot see. There may be hidden cur-rents or obstacles below the surface. These places are often difficult to reach by vehicle. No matter how quickly you call for help it can be too late to help anyone in trouble. It may be difficult to get out.

There might be blue green algae in the water it might not be visible but can produce toxins that cause skin rashes and stomach upsets.

It is always very cold. It can make your arms and legs numb which means you can't control them and can't swim. It can lead to hypothermia - serious reduction in your body temperature - which can cause heart failure

BISHOPBRIGGS / CAMPSIE

Working together to achieve the best with the people of East Dunbartonshire

Keep safe around water