Parents sent letters over children congregating in Haymarket.

Every Norfolk school has been urged to notify parents if huge crowds of more than 150 students gathered in Norwich’s centre.

Police and council authorities phoned every primary and secondary school after receiving reports of large groups of young people congregating in Haymarket and Hay Hill.

They are requesting schools to disseminate the letter to parents, urging them to stay informed about their children’s activities in order to decrease the number of people visiting the area near McDonald’s and Next.

Crowds of children have gathered on recent Saturday afternoons and evenings, with reports of underage drinking, drug use, criminal damage, and concerns about vulnerable young people being exploited.

The gatherings have sparked complaints from shopkeepers and visitors, and police have strengthened patrols in the area.

The Norfolk Community Safety Partnership, which includes the police, Norfolk County Council, and the city, borough, and district councils, has now directed all schools to notify parents of the problem.

The letter implies that “having fun and hanging out with friends is an important part of growing up” and concludes with “we want all children and young people in Norfolk to feel safe and confident about spending time in the community without parental/adult supervision when the time is right for them” .

Hay Hill in Norwich (Image: Dan Grimmer)

However, it also provides parents with advice from Norfolk County Council’s education safeguarding team on how to allow their children independence while still maintaining their well-being.

Parents and carers are encouraged to “know where your child is spending time and with who” and to encourage them to “stick together and look out for each other in a place they feel safe”.

Parents were also asked to make sure their children’s mobile phones are charged so they can call for help, and to consider using location sharing applications.

The letter states: “As a parent or carer, it is crucial for you to talk to your children about the potential threats that could be posed to them when they are out in the community, to ensure they are able to make informed choices about their own and their peers’ safety”.

According to Norfolk police, 150 young people aged 11 to 19 were present in the Haymarket on Saturday, November 15.

Police claimed more than 250 people gathered there throughout the day. The following weekend, police declared that they would increase their patrols after many reported feeling threatened by the groups.

A spokesman added, “We’ve seen groups of youngsters and young people gathering in the Haymarket on recent Saturdays.

“However, there have been fewer incidents of concern and complaints, and the feedback from young people and children has also been positive:

they’ve been engaging with officers and partner agencies, and they appreciate the increased focus on that area.

“This is especially pleasing because our intention has always been to keep children and young people safe, and to work with local authorities to support them in being together and enjoying what the city centre has to offer in a safe environment, as well as to deter and disrupt any criminal activity.

We’ll continue to do this in the coming weeks.”

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