Safety advice for Wirral families in run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night
WIRRAL families are being urged to help keep their communities safe as they enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Merseyside Police are asking parents to take responsibility for their children's whereabouts as well as appealing to residents to keep an eye on their elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Patrols will be stepped up over the Halloween and Bonfire period in a bid to ensure everyone is kept safe during the festivities.
Chief inspector, Claire Richards, said action will be taken against the minority of people who commit crime.
She said: "While the vast majority of young people have respect for others and their property, the behaviour of some can quickly go beyond fun and turn into something which frightens the elderly and more vulnerable members of our community.
"We have been working with schools in the borough to talk to young people about good citizenship and warn of the dangers of fireworks and the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
"However, the support of parents is vital. Don't let your children hang around the streets with nowhere to go. Know who they are with and what they are doing, especially in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.
"By taking these simple steps it could prevent that knock on their door from a police officer informing them that their child has been arrested or, worse still, has been involved in a serious accident.
"We have also been working extremely hard with partner agencies to provide a variety of activities for young people and their families. So get involved in local events and have a safe and enjoyable time."
Merseyside Police will be taking part in a multi-agency operation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue, local councils and youth services to provide reassurance, organise events and coordinate resources where needed in the run up to and during Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Dedicated neighbourhood and schools officers along with PCSOs will be offering a number of activities across the area for young people to make the autumn events safe and fun.
A list of events are available on Merseyside Police's website. Visit
www.merseyside.police.uk/autumnfun to find out what is on across the borough.
As part of the activities the force is running a competition with Radio City on the station's Facebook page where young people will be invited to upload blogs, photos, poems and videos showcasing the positive activities they are involved in this Autumn.
Listen to Radio City for details or go to
www.radiocity.co.uk. The winner of the competition will receive a VIP evening at the Echo Arena for them and three friends.
Plans are also underway to crackdown on the criminal sale and use of fireworks. Visits to retailers by Merseyside Police, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards officers are ensuring firework legislation is both understood and followed.
To help police, call 0151 709 6010 to report an incident and only dial 999 in an emergency.
To report the illegal sale of fireworks call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 if you see fireworks being sold illegally or being used in an anti-social way, including people setting them off after 11pm. Anyone under 18 found with fireworks can be arrested and fined £40. THE GLOBE
