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Don’t bow to peer pressure

by Steve Beasant on 18 August, 2015

Stay Safe Over Summer: You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to

Don’t be pressured into putting yourself at risk this summer.

That’s the latest message from Humberside Police to young people as part of the force’s Stay Safe Over Summer campaign.

Launched at the start of the summer break in partnership with all four local authorities and Humberside Fire and Rescue service, the aim of the appeal is to highlight positive activities on offer for young people across the force area and help them to avoid being hurt or exploited.

Sgt James Main, of Humberside Police’s youth engagement team, said: “One of the hardest issues faced by young people is standing up to the pressure put on them by friends and their wider social group to get involved in things they don’t want to do.

“From drinking and taking drugs, to sexual activity – whether that’s physically or through sexting or on line chat rooms – peer pressure can take many forms.

“As part of our Stay Safe Over Summer campaign, Humberside Police are keen to let young people know that help and support is available for them and that they do not need to confirm to peer pressure – whatever form it takes.”

Drug and alcohol use among young people is already above the English average for many areas of the force.

However, substance abuse can have long-lasting effects, as this video on the dangers of long-term drinking shows.

The level of pregnancy in under 16s is also above the English average in three of four areas covered by Humberside Police.

Advice, forums and activities around all these issues can be found at Rise Above, a peer-led website aimed at giving honest advice and support on topics you don’t feel comfortable bringing up with your friends or family.

Sgt Main added: “Never be embarrassed to say no to something you don’t feel comfortable with. Only you know what is right for you.

“In some cases, young people may even be pressured into getting involved in – or keeping quiet about criminal activity.

“If you are concerned about the actions of someone you know, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

Another alternative is to be Fearless.

The charity provides a website – which you can prevent from being recorded in your internet search history – which allows you to report crime 100 per cent anonymously.

It is also packed with no-nonsense advice and information about drugs and legal highs; abuse, hate crimes and serious sexual offences; weapons; cybercrime; violence; theft and street crime.

STATISTICS:

*Figures are the latest available from Public Health England and relate to the number affected per 100,000 population):

Number of under 18s admitted to hospital, per local authority area, due to alcohol specific conditions between 2011 and 2014.

  • England average: 40.1
  • East Riding: 40.8
  • Hull: 51
  • North East Lincolnshire: 60.1
  • North Lincolnshire: 23.5

Number of hospital admissions due to substance misuse (15 to 24 year-olds) from 2011 to 14.

  • England average: 81.3
  • East Riding: 61.2
  • Hull: 141.6
  • North East Lincolnshire: 141
  • North Lincolnshire: 81.6

Conception rate in under 16s (2010 to 12):

  • England average: 6.1
  • East Riding: 6.1
  • Hull: 9.6
  • North East Lincolnshire: 10.2
  • North Lincolnshire: 8.6
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