The school Christmas holidays are upon us and police are asking parents and guardians to help keep their children away from vulnerable situations and out of trouble.

As experience has shown that children who find themselves in difficult situations often do so when their parents are unaware where they are, so the message to parents is: “Do you know where your children are this winter?”

As always at this time of year police officers will be involved in a number of dedicated patrols to ensure young people are safe, and try and help reduce those exposed to the dangers of alcohol, crime etc.

Inspector Sara Garwood said: “We have to emphasise that the majority of young people on the island are no trouble at all but we just want to take this opportunity to remind parents of their responsibility to know where their children are.

“We’re not trying to spoil anyone’s fun or free time, but we also have a duty to ensure that young people are safe and we need parents help with that.

“We are asking parents to ensure that they help their teenagers to make informed decisions and that they know where they are notwithstanding that many of the teenagers we pick-up are found anywhere but where the parents have been told they will be.

“Also make sure that if your teenager has a mobile phone that it is charged and switched on if you need to reach them.”