Pembrokeshire GCSE students urged to celebrate responsibly after recent alcohol and drugs incidents

Young people receiving their GCSE results in Pembrokeshire on Thursday (25 August) are being urged to celebrate sensibly.

The message comes from Dyfed Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Pembrokeshire County Council and other local agencies.

It follows recent incidents at local venues, where young people aged 16 and under appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Please look after yourself and each other,” said Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language.

“It’s natural to go out and celebrate and socialise, but please do so safely and responsibly.”

Local professionals are working together to minimise the risk to young people through education and mitigation measures.

They are also appealing to parents and carers to support them and have issued advice including asking your child for access to their phone location so that you can locate them with ease should you need to pick them up.

The council are also urging parents and carers to make sure they have arranged lifts for their children to return home from the event and plan this, with timings, prior to the event. Double check with other parents and carers if your children have let you know they are staying at a friend’s house after the event.

They also add that parents and carers should ensure their child knows who to contact if they feel unsafe and want to leave; ensure that their phone is charged and has sufficient credit too. And if an organised event is taking place at a venue, be there at the end of the event to collect your children, or wait nearby for the duration ready to collect them.

(Lead image: Pembrokeshire Council)