Halloween and Bonfire Night - Seasonal Crackdown on Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
31 October 2012
With Halloween and Bonfire Night around the corner, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), has commenced its seasonal crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour. With both these events approaching, the focus of the MPS will be on ensuring the safety of our communities throughout this period.
Commander Mak Chishty, said: "We are here for London and to help make sure that everyone can enjoy the festivities and stay safe. All 32 London boroughs have a local plan in place, drawing together experience and successful tactics from previous years as well as managing planned events in their areas. I would like to stress that our operations are not aimed at demonising young people, the large majority of whom behave safely and responsibly. However those intent on committing crime and anti-social behaviour will face the consequences."
"During this busy period, ensure you stay safe."
Staff from Police and London Fire Brigade will continue to give presentations in schools over the Halloween and Bonfire night period to reiterate safety tips to young people ahead of the festivities.
Officers are carrying out after-school patrols at hot spot areas, such as town centres and transport hubs, to disrupt potential involvement in robbery, violence and other criminal activities which impact on our neighbourhoods.
The Police will also be using screening arches as part of wider detection tactics to deter the carrying of weapons and will take part in test purchase operations regarding the sale of fireworks and petrol.
Safer Neighbourhoods Teams will be visiting firework outlets and taking action against problem venues.
Chief Inspector Ian Kibblewhite, Operations Enfield Police said: “Halloween is an evening that young people look forward to throughout the year as a fun time and social event. We are really keen that they enjoy the evening and we will have extra officers on the streets to enable this to be done safely and responsibly. Please ensure that you behave with consideration to other members of the community who may not share your enthusiasm and in some case can be caused anxiety and stress.”
Bonfire night fires have dropped by two-thirds over the last five years, according to new figures released today by London Fire Brigade. Last year’s 5 November was the quietest on record for the capital’s firefighters with 154 fires attended or a fire in London every 10 minutes. In 2006, fire crews attended around one fire every three minutes on bonfire night.
LFB’s Head of Operations, Prevention & Response Dave Brown said: “We’ve seen a dramatic drop in bonfire night incidents but it is still shocking that we were called to one fire every 10 minutes on bonfire night last year.
"Many of the Bonfire Night fires we see can be easily prevented so we want people to use some common sense in a bid to reduce the number of fires. Working alongside the police and local councils we hope to further reduce fires over this period.”
In addition the MPS Safer Transport Command, funded by Transport for London (TfL), is running Operation Safebus, an intensive two-week operation to prevent youth disorder on buses and at transport hubs across the Capital during the autumn half term and encompassing Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Travelling on the transport network should be safe and secure for all passengers, particularly young people who have started to travel independently since the beginning of the school term. With Half Term coinciding with the Halloween and Bonfire period, most young people will be out enjoying their break. To help them stay safe and deter any increase in anti-social behaviour, all of London's Safer Transport Teams will be carrying out extra high visibility patrols on and around the bus network. Officers will use this opportunity to engage with young people whilst they are travelling on London’s transport network and provide safety advice.
Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor added: "During this busy period, ensure you stay safe by staying with others and try to attend well organised events. When you are out, keep your valuables and high-value mobile phones out of sight, or leave them at home. If trick or treating, be aware of the impact of your actions on others - it may cause unnecessary worry to some of the more vulnerable members of our communities. Wherever possible parents should try to accompany their children.”
If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team or in an emergency always dial 999.