Police departments are to carry out an intensified monitoring operation of street behaviour and substance abuse during the Venetian Festival weekend, 30 August – 1 September, when, in addition to traditional festivities, young people gather to celebrate the start of the school year. Monitoring will focus on young people under the age of 18. Particular attention will be paid to the possession of intoxicants, narcotics and bladed weapons or other objects capable of harming others.
As the evenings draw in, gatherings at the Venetian Festival weekend, which marks the end of summer, are often associated with substance abuse and the attendant phenomena it brings. Visible police surveillance aims to prevent disturbances, offences, accidents and young people from becoming victims of crime.
Police to intervene in possession of substances and objects capable of harming others
The police will primarily maintain a visible presence and intervene in the use and possession of all intoxicants. Police observations show that young people are unfortunately often also in possession of bladed weapons or other objects capable of harming others. Addressing these will be a key theme, in addition to drug and alcohol possession.
During the monitoring operation, local police units will cooperate closely with, for example, youth and social services. Cooperation between authorities ensures effective intervention and prompt reaction to potential problems as well as the passing on of information to young people's homes.
It is important that parents of young people know where and with whom their young people spend their weekend and what they get up to. Parents and their young people together should check the contents of young peoples’ backpacks and bags before they set out to celebrate. This is how to avoid the surprises that intervention by the authorities often brings. It is also important for guardians to keep in touch with their young people during the evening to make sure that they are alright.
Local police will report on their own monitoring in different ways during and after the operation. The National Police Board will compile national statistics of the monitoring operation by 6 September.
The intensified monitoring operation aims, in particular, to prevent harm caused by alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants.
