Police departments carried out an intensified street and substance abuse enforcement campaign during the Venetian Festival weekend, 29 August-1 September, and the preceding week. Monitoring focused particularly on young persons aged under 18.
When schools start in the autumn, young people traditionally gather in large numbers, and gatherings are often associated with substance abuse and the attendant phenomena they bring. Enforcement was mainly carried out through visible surveillance and intervention in the use and possession of all intoxicants. A total of more than 2,500 working hours were spent on the operation nationwide.
Responsibility for children and young people lies with their guardians
Weekend celebrations by young people went well. During the weekend operation, 188 litres of alcohol were disposed of. Of that amount, around 27 litres were spirits, so most alcohol was in the form of milder beverages such as beer and cider.
Fortunately, very few bladed weapons or other objects capable of harming others were found over the weekend, which is why just two admonitions were recorded.
A total of 254 child welfare notifications were made during the week-long operation. This is around half the number made in a similar operation carried out in the spring.
In many areas, the enforcement operation was carried out together with youth and social services and the Regional State Administrative Agency. The statistics could look much worse without effective and smooth cooperation between the authorities,. The majority of parents have also acted correctly and have picked up their weary young persons at the request of the police.
”It cannot be emphasised too highly that responsibility for children and young persons and their actions lies with their guardians,” says Chief Superintendent Tuomo Korhonen.
A total of 122 persons under the age of 18, 15 of whom were aged under 15, were found guilty of offences during the enforcement weekend. A total of 13 underaged persons suspected for narcotics offences were caught during the whole week of the enforcement operation. Given the scope of the operation, this is a low figure.
Irresponsible use of fireworks
Fireworks have traditionally been part of the celebrations, and this year they were also visible on the streets. Unfortunately, fireworks are also often in the possession of people under the age of 18 or they are used while intoxicated and irresponsibly. The police emphasise that parents must also supervise the possession of fireworks by minors and ensure that they do not end up accompanying young people on an evening out.
During the enforcement theme week, and even earlier, the police have drawn attention to the significant increase in the possession and illegal trade in e-cigarettes, i.e. vape products, among young people. In some places, the phenomenon is very prominent, and individual street "vape sellers" may be in possession of dozens of products intended for sale. The sale of such products can be used to seek significant criminal proceeds. It is also a good idea for guardians to discuss the issue with their underaged offspring at home and to emphasise that it is an illegal activity.
