Q. What should I do if I witness a crime?
A.

If you witness a crime or suspicious behaviour you should contact the police. You should call 999 or if you are worried about confidentiality, use the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

The police will want the following information:

• The date, time and location of the crime.
• The nature of the crime.
• The number of people involved.
• A description of the people involved.
• A description of any vehicle involved and registration numbers.

Q. Me and my friends bought some booze and the police confiscated it. We weren't even drinking it. Can they do this?
A.

Yes. If you are under 18 and found in possession of alcohol it doesn't matter if you are drinking it or not, it is still an offence and the police have the right to confiscate it. Visit the Law Zone for information on the laws on underage drinking and check out the Advice Zone to find out about the effects of drinking.

Q. The old lady at the end of my street keeps threatening to call the police when me and my mates play football against her house. We aren't doing anything wrong, so what can she do?
A.

You may not think you are doing anything wrong but it is important to consider how your actions affect others. We all have a responsibility for the quality of life in our communities and disrespecting other people's property is neglecting your responsibilities.

The first thing to do is think of how your neighbour feels. She could be worried about damage to her home or frightened to go out of the house. Try playing football somewhere else which isn't going to upset anyone, that way you’ll get to finish your game in peace and your neighbour won't be inconvenienced. For more information on how you can steer clear of trouble and make a valuable contribution to your community check out the UrZone tips in Ur World.

Also it is important to remember that the police take nuisance behaviour, like loitering outside other people’s houses, very seriously. So although you are not committing an actual crime, you could get into trouble with the police under the Youth Diversion Scheme (YDS).

Q. I am 15. If I commit a crime will I be treated the same way as an adult?
A. No. Although you have as many rights as an adult, in the eyes of the law anyone under 18 is a juvenile and is treated differently to an adult. Go to the Law Zone for information on the Youth Diversion Scheme (YDS) to find out what happens when a young person comes into contact with the law.

Q. I am interested in a career in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, where can I get more information?
A.

To get information on careers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, visit the human resources section of the Police Service of Northern Ireland website.

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