Enjoy your prom and stay safe

YOUNG people are being urged by police to be vigilant about their own safety during this year’s prom season.

A checklist has been issued by police warning teenagers, parents and adults.

Advice to young people includes:

Arranging beforehand your plans for the evening with your friends.

Letting your parents know what time you will be getting home.

Planing ahead what you will say or do if someone offers you alcohol or another illegal drug.

Finding out what time you are expected home and share it with your friends.

Asking a trusted adult to be near a phone and to be available prom night in case you need to call them.

Making sure it is fully charged and has enough top-up on to ensure you can ring home if you need to.

Not accepting alcohol or drugs from anyone, not only is this illegal it will impair your judgement, and

Planning your journey to and from the prom and use registered taxi companies.

Police say young people should also stay in groups, walking home and watch out for drinks being tampered with.

Parents and adults have been asked to:

Ensure that you are aware of your children’s plans and expected time home.

Not provide any alcohol to children even as a treat. It could impair their decision making and make them want to drink more throughout the evening.

Make arrangements to collect your children or be aware of how your children are getting home.

Find out which friends they will be with and where possible have their mobile phone numbers to hand.

Try to ensure that your children’s mobile phones are fully charged and have top-up so that they can call you.

Helen Cooper, Rotherham Licensing Officer said: “This is a very important night for many young people.

“It is something that they plan for and look forward to for many weeks.

“We would like this to be a special night for all of them, but would encourage them to keep themselves safe by following the important safety advice.”

Police said anyone found providing or selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 would be dealt with under current licensing legislation which could result in a fine of up to £20,000 or their licence being revoked.

See Friday's Young Tizer page for two budding reporters' views of their own school proms.