An AP party is where groups of children (under 18s) rent houses and apartments across Leeds/Bradford, and other areas, in which to organise what are known as ‘AP parties’ (all play/apartment).
These can be rented via AirBnB or other companies, sometimes through an appropriate adult, but often through someone acting as an intermediary in order to rent the properties for children. This can be done via snapchat or social media.
Why?
- This is relatively cheap for children as they chip in small amounts amongst themselves
- The glamorisation of parties on social media makes these more appealing
- AP parties at apartments/houses are more hidden
- Parents may think that AP parties are safer than children being on the street.
What are the risks?
- AP parties are being attended by large numbers of young people and adults, possibly up to 100 people
- Social media, i.e. Snapchat is being used to organise the parties with the location being advertised around an hour before it starts
- Substances such as alcohol, cannabis and ‘smartwhip’ (Nitrous Oxide) are being offered free to young people who attend
- Children who attend these parties could be at risk of criminal and/or sexual exploitation
- There is no safe adult to supervise the children or intervene if there is an emergency.
Not every party will be high risk, but we need to make sure that parents and practitioners understand that AP parties are happening and could be dangerous.
What can we do?
- If you hear information about AP parties, including locations, names of adults involved, information around drug use or gangs, then please share this information with the police
- Speak to children about the risks involved, ensure that they have someone to talk to if they are worried or want to ask questions
- Encourage parents to speak openly to their children and to ensure that they know enough about where they are going and how to keep themselves safe
- Have open discussions around risks regarding substance use and exploitation. Ask open ended questions to help understand if children know what consent means
- As a practitioner if you hear information around AP parties then this could be shared as INTEL through the Partnership Information Portal
- If the information you hear is a disclosure of an incident or something that requires a response please report this via 101; or 999 if an emergency
- Consider using a Child Exploitation Risk Identification Tool for a child if they are attending these parties as they may be at risk of exploitation
- Consider all the risks: sexual and criminal as well as physical harm through violence or substance use
Resources to share with parents or to use with children:
What does consent mean? Consent cup of tea video on Youtube
Information for parents on safeguarding teenagers
Information for parents from the NWG
Information for parents on child sexual exploitation
Keeping children safe online from the NSPCC
Information for practitioners from Basis Yorkshire