Council sends letter about behaviour of 29-year-old skateboarder to his parents

The parents of a 29-year-old skateboarder told off by a police community support officer received a letter suggesting that they should keep him in check. Manchester City Council wrote to Tony da Silva’s mother and father, urging them to talk to him after he was seen skating illegally. Mr da Silva, a semi-professional skateboarder, does not live with his parents.

The letter addressed to them, detailed their son’s behaviour and warned he could be fined £500. It read: “The parent is usually best placed to decide the most appropriate course of action. An early, positive response ensures that most young people spoken to about their behaviour do not come to further attention.”



Mr da Silva had his name, address, and date of birth taken by a police community support officer after he was spotted skating in area where it was prohibited. He said: “I laughed when I read it, but I was also quite annoyed. Someone clearly thinks that everyone who skateboards is a kid, so just sent the letter without thinking. I gave them my date of birth so they knew how old I was.”

A similar letter was sent to the parents of a friend of Mr da Silva’s, Eddie Belvedere, who is 24 years old. A spokesman for the council said: “These rules are in place for a good reason and we have now established that Mr da Silva is old enough to understand them.”