Operation Bang cuts anti-social behaviour

THE number of anti-social behaviour incidents over Halloween and Bonfire Night fell by 10 per cent this year.

Police received 335 anti-social behaviour calls from across Carmarthenshire between October 25 and November 6 compared to 372 the previous year.

The number of fire service calls to deliberate rubbish fires was also more than halved.

It shows partnership working between the police, council and fire service – as part of the all-Wales Operation Bang – is really making a difference.

Inspector Tony Ward said: “We started planning for this initiative back in the summer and a lot of hard work has gone into it. We did not want to spoil people’s fun, but we wanted to make sure they stayed safe and thought of others.

“This is the third year running we have carried out this initiative and every year we have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour. There were some isolated incidents, however, positive police intervention resulted in seizures of a large quantity of fireworks, alcohol and eggs throughout the county.”

Police and fire officers visited schools to talk to pupils, the youth service organised activities such as Blue Light discos, posters were produced for residents to put in their windows to say whether or not they wanted to trick or treaters and shops and supermarkets were asked not to sell flour and eggs to anyone under the age of 18. Police also stepped up patrols and confiscated any alcohol, fireworks, eggs and flour from young people.

In total, 11 Section 27 notices were issued by police which basically orders a person to leave an area for up to 48 hours if they are likely to cause or contribute to the occurrence of alcohol-related crime and disorder in that area.

Some 30 referrals were also made to the council’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator to send out warning letters to parents.

Council executive board member for community safety Councillor Pam Palmer said: “By working in partnership and planning in advance both the younger and older members of the community have been able to enjoy the celebrations without any major problems or cause for distress.

“I am delighted that we have continued to see a reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents during this period. We will continue to work together to make Carmarthenshire safer.”

The fire service was called out to five deliberate rubbish fires/bonfires during the period compared to 13 last year and 17 the year before.

Ryland Williams from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s arson-reduction team said: “We are pleased to see a continued reduction in the number of bonfires in Carmarthenshire. This can only result in us (the fire service) being available to attend the more serious incidents which occur throughout the area. We will continue to support initiatives such as this as part of our drive to make Carmarthenshire a safer place for us all.”

The Community Safety Partnership teamed up with the Scarlets to give away six pairs of tickets to see the Scarlets V Leeds Carnegie game at Parc Y Scarlets on November 6. The winners were: Jackie James from Pendine, Ms E Bowen from Llanelli, Sheila Freeman from Llandysul, Mr D Jenkins from Llanelli, T Davies from Lampeter, and David Crooke from Pendine,

 

CAPTION: Sergeant Teresa Ross and PC Andrew Williams of Ammanford Neighbourhood Policing Team with the fireworks, alcohol and eggs they confiscated during Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Picture: Jeff Connell.