Police to monitor use of intoxicants by youth

The police will closely monitor the use of intoxicants by young people in Helsinki during the upcoming weekends, said the Helsinki police in a press release on Friday.

The Helsinki police will conduct special operations to intensely monitor the consumption of intoxicants by young people in the entire Helsinki region. Special operations will be carried out during the next two weekends to prevent crime and disruptions.

The special operations will particularly focus on places where young people usually gather, such as the centre of Helsinki, parks, beaches, and outdoor areas of day-care centres and schools.

The Helsinki Police Department will work together with Helsinki’s youth workers and other volunteers.

The police have recently received many reports concerning disturbingly loud music and related disruptions in public areas. The police will also intervene actively in noise-related disruptions.

“Young people will be fined if they have any alcohol in their possession, and we will also notify their guardians and child welfare services. The police will confiscate and discard any alcohol held by minors. If the police discover any alcohol in the possession of children under 15, or if they are found to be intoxicated, they will be handed over to their parents or social services,” said Helsinki police Chief Inspector Katja Nissinen.

The police, however, have urged the parents to maintain contact with their children during the evening.