Children were reportedly collapsing due to having drunk too much alcohol last night, according to police in the greater Newtownabbey area.
They say they received reports of large groups of youths gathering at shops asking customers to buy them alcohol. The children were also reportedly causing a nuisance to shop employees.
Last night police put out a warning to parents of children in Glengormley, Ballyclare, Monkstown and Mallusk, that there was a possibility they were involved in anti-social behaviour. Police say they are offences associated with the purchasing and sale of alcohol to youths.
“We also received further reports of children collapsing due to their intoxication. These incidents put a massive strain on police resources who are already doing their best to attend calls for service in relation to emergencies, concerns for safety, road traffic collisions, missing persons etc. Our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service will no doubt be under the same heavy workload tonight,” said a police spokesperson.
Police are once again reminding parents to be aware of where the children are and who they are with.
“Nobody wants to see their child with a criminal record or worse, in a hospital emergency department,” added the spokesperson.