Government is to look at curfews for young people Youth and Sports Minister Dale Butler said last night.

He made the statement after a group of kids were reportedly busted for drugs and alcohol at Devonshire Bay on Friday night.

It is understood the youths - aged about 16, although some were even younger - were spotted by an undercover cop who called for backup.

Police arrived soon after and the youths were taken in for questioning.

Mr. Butler said he wasn't aware of the Devonshire incident but added: "I don't think anyone in the country would be surprised. The call for a curfew has come on a number of occasions.

"It's an issue for Government to decide but how you police it is going to be the big question as well as whether a curfew is for all the people or whether people with privilege will have lawyers finding loopholes and getting their kids off."

The Minister said he had an open mind on the issue and would start collecting data. "I am going to collect information on the pros and cons before making a definite decision."

He said the Devonshire Bay episode and some others had highlighted the need to examine curfews but the whole community needed to come together to make hard decisions.

"I will touch base with the stakeholders to better make a decision," said the Minister.

Referring to the Devonshire Bay incident Mr. Butler said: "It seems unfortunate given the level of opportunity in this country. Something is clearly missing if our young people waste their years like that.

"I think we need a wider broader discussion about what can be done. I am really most concerned to hear this type of report. It isn't only a health matter. It's a question of them having a prison record which will restrict them from travelling off the island.

"I am just hoping it isn't a common event."

The Minister said he wondered why youngsters preferred to hang about on beaches at night. "Do we need better equipped clubs, something is clearly missing."

He questioned whether there were enough discos for youngsters but he said private enterprise might have been turned off by violence often associated with such events.