Chorley police explain why house party with more than 200 people was shut down
“As many of us police officers are parents ourselves we understand and share the concerns you have for your children.”
Chorley police has issued a statement following the dispersal of a house party in Whittle-le-Woods, which saw three children arrested.
On Friday night (October 30), Chorley police urged local parents to make contact with their children and arrange for them to return home safely after a house party was shut down.
At the time, police estimated there were around 150 people and children at the address, with many believed to be under the influence of alcohol.
The original Facebook post read: “Parents read and share this message.
“If you have dropped your children off at a party at a Cottage on Moss Lane, Whittle Le Woods then we strongly suggest you make contact with your child.
“The party has been shut down and approximately 150 people / children have been dispersed from the address. Many of these are under the influence of alcohol.
“Please share this message ASAP to ensure all children get home safely to their respective families.”
However, following criticism of the police response on social media, including concerns over the safety of the children making their way home, Sgt Paul Harrison issued a statement on Saturday evening (October 31) explaining why the decision had been made to shut down the party.
He confirmed that the party had been closed following a breach of the peace, after reports that children had set off fireworks towards a neighbouring house.
He also cited extremely loud music disturbing nearby residents, excessive alcohol consumption and drug use at the premises.
Sgt Harrison said officers also found that one of the doors to the property had been barricaded and that projectiles had been thrown at them while they were dealing with the incident.
He added that officers believed there were more than 200 children and other attendees at the party.
The statement also confirmed that three children had been arrested. One was subsequently released and taken home, while two others were referred to the Youth Offending Team in connection with allegations of possession of cannabis and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Sgt Harrison went on to explain why police had decided to issue a public appeal to parents, saying: “Due to the sheer amount of attendees to the party a decision was made by supervision at the scene that the best way to get a message out to the parents of the children was to put out a facebook post and ask for this to be shared to ensure that the post was seen by as many people as possible thus to minimise the risk to children and maximise the safety of the children.
“Unfortunately, due to other demands there were only 10 officers at the scene in comparison to over 200 attendees so we did not have the capacity or capability to take the children home.
“Given that the post has been shared over 400 times we know that this has reached thousands of pairs of eyes (A Reach of 750,000 people) and we are highly confident this has had a positive impact and resulted in the return home of some of the children.
“We can confirm that we remained at the scene for over an hour until the attendees had left the area keeping Vehicles on a very unlit country lane to maximise the safety of those attendees leaving the area.”
The statement concluded: “As many of us police officers are parents ourselves we understand and share the concerns you have for your children.
“We would want the Police to take positive action against people involved in supplying drugs, fireworks and alcohol to children so you have your chance to help us.
“You can do this by emailing the Chorley and South Ribble Task Force at [email protected]
Police also confirmed that another child had been admitted to hospital, with enquiries ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the child's wellbeing.