Fewer crimes in youth curfew town

The experiment has been monitored by other police forces in England

A curfew banning children from being out on their own late at night in a Cornish town reduced anti-social behaviour by 64%, according to police.

During Operation Goodnight, under 10s in Redruth North had a curfew of 2000 BST, with one hour more for under 16s.

Police said there were 16 anti-social incidents in the six-week period - down from 45 for the same period last year.

The number of youth crimes in Redruth North fell from seven in summer 2007 to two during the curfew pilot.

Police have urged residents to give their feedback on the scheme.

Local co-operation

Officers will be making personal house to house calls in the curfew area to gauge opinion this week.

Questionnaires will be left at homes where no-one is in.

At the end of the voluntary curfew the town's mayor, Barbara Ellenbrook, said local co-operation had been vital to the success of the social experiment.

"The community wanted it to work and they made it work," she said.

The scheme has been monitored by other police forces in England.

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