Operation Bang

Operation Bang

CAPTION (PIC 1): Back l to r: Communities First development officer Emma Martin-Jewell, environmental enforcement officer Michael Roberts, PCSO Stephen Lloyd, Community Safety Inspector Tony Ward, Llanelli town NPT Sergeant Justin Evans. Middle: anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Michelle Langshaw, PCSO Christian Rowlands, Brendon Jones from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Young People’s Participation Officer Sarah Powell and Viv Jones (front) from trading standards.

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are being urged to have a happy Halloween and not get their fingers burnt on Bonfire Night.

The Community Safety Partnership – as part of the all-Wales Operation Bang – is urging people to have fun but to stay safe and not let celebrations get out of hand.

A number of actions are taking place to cut ghoulish behaviour and help young and old stay safe.

Various diversionary activities are being organised by the council’s youth service and other groups such as Communities First including Blue Light discos and a trip to see the Cardiff Devils ice hockey.

Shops and supermarkets are being asked not to sell eggs and flour to young people in the lead-up to October 31.
Posters have also been produced for householders to display in their windows to say whether they welcome trick or treaters. They will be distributed to the public, especially the elderly and vulnerable, and will be available at the council’s customer service centres, police stations and via the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Police will be stepping up patrols, visiting licensed premises and working with the council’s trading standards regarding the sale of fireworks.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams and school liaison officers will be visiting schools along with the fire service to remind youngsters about Bonfire Night safety and the effect their behaviour can have on others, especially the vulnerable and elderly.

Parents are being urged to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing and encourage them to attend organised events such as Halloween discos and public fireworks displays.

The council’s executive board member for community safety Councillor Pam Palmer said: “This time of year is one of the busiest for the police and fire service with parties, fireworks, bonfires and trick-or-treating in the streets.

“While Halloween and Bonfire Night can undoubtedly be a great deal of excitement for some, it is often a particularly distressing time of year for our more vulnerable community members, especially the elderly. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but we also want them to be responsible and not cause problems for others.”

The initiative has been very successful in previous years and has led to a marked reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

Carmarthenshire Chief Supt Steve Mears added: “Whilst we do not have a big rise in calls at this time of year some of our residents do worry when trick or treaters knock the door. We do not want people’s enjoyment to get out of hand and cause people to feel threatened in their own home.”

The Community Safety Partnership includes the county council, police, fire and rescue service and other partner organisations working together to make the county a safer place for everyone.