Chief Constable Gary Roberts has supported the decision by colleagues to cancel a number of after prom parties, organised by teenagers.

The parties were cancelled by officers after they discovered a number were planned to be held near the Creg-ny-Baa corner for after Year 11 proms with police concerned over underage drinking and general safety.

The Chief Constable, returning from a post TT holiday said that having had teenage daughters, he understands how some teenagers ’looked forward to the after prom events more than the prom itself’.

After prom parties are nothing new in of themselves, students annually take it upon themselves to organise after parties, however with proms often occurring during the week, a suitable venue can be hard to come by.

This year, students from across the island’s high schools had organised a shared venue, with each school holding its event on their prom night.

However, police and fire crews shut them down, saying they would require a fire certificate and a music licence as they had become public entertainment events.

Mr Roberts said he had asked a senior colleague to review the decision made to cancel the parties.

He added: ’An experienced superintendent, who has not been involved in the decision making, has reviewed what has gone on.

’Sadly (and I say this because a lot of people won’t be happy), he has found that the decision was the right one.

’The key issues now are how young people can enjoy themselves after their proms and how the emergency and public services can help them do this in a safe way.

’I am assured that efforts will continue to try to achieve this.’

The Chief Constable also revealed his officers only became aware the plans during TT and that he thought it likely that fire crews became aware of it at the same time.