Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night are just weeks away, generating excitement and anticipation amongst those who love all things that are spooky, scary, ghoulish or go bang in the night!
However, while the season is a time of fun and enjoyment for many, it can also cause fear, upset and intimidation for others.
As such, the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, which coordinates and drives the efforts of many agencies working to reduce crime and the fear of crime, is throwing its weight behind Operation Bang.
The operation runs every year across Wales to ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable Bonfire Night and Hallowe’en.
Thanks to the efforts of South Wales Police, various Rhondda Cynon Taf Council departments, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Cwm Taf Local Health Board and the voluntary sector, last year’s Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night period was one of the quietest in history.
It is hoped such success can be repeated this year, with those wishing to celebrate the season doing so in a safe and considerate manner that does not cause offence or intimidation to others.
With just weeks to go, work is already well underway, including:
- Working with shops that sell flour, eggs and other goods that can be used as missiles by those who take Trick or Treating too far. Each are visited and sign up in support of the Community Safety Partnership’s aims for the season, ensuring they play their part in reducing crime and disorder. All stores display Operation Bang posters to show their support and make it clear to customers what is expected.
- Visits to premises that sell fireworks to ensure they are safely stored and managers and staff are aware of the law surrounding the sale of such explosives.
- Licensing and test purchase visits to shops, pubs and bars to ensure underage drinking and underage sales do not happen.
- Visits to day centres, sheltered housing accommodation and other vulnerable residents to ensure they are aware of the work taking place to protect them – and where to seek immediate help if they need it.
- Identification of areas that, traditionally, suffer the highest levels of crime, disorder and public complaints during the season to ensure attention is focussed upon them.
- Dedicated youth provision, including Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night-themed activities, to ensure young people have safe, positive activities to participate in.
- Targeted diversionary activities in place for young people identified as being of concern in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour.
- Patrols and response across the County Borough to remove illegal bonfires that can be built up in communities, which are dangerous and inconsiderate.
- Promotion of organised Bonfire Night events, where people of all ages can enjoy a fire and fireworks in a safe, supervised manner.
- Organisation of resources, such as police officers, PCSOs, sniffer dogs, horses, youth workers, YOS workers and more to patrol areas in order to reassure residents and deter offenders.
- Launch of central information on www.wicid.tv, the website for young people by young people, including features on Operation Bang, how to get involved, what’s on and more.
- Engagement with children in schools about alcohol awareness, underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and Operation Bang.
Paul Cannon, Chair of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are lucky to have a strong and proactive partnership that enables all agencies to pull together and play their part in protecting the public at this time of year.
“The sheer range of interventions and activities planned over the coming weeks is a demonstration of how proactive we are and how committed to are to ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night and Hallowe’en.
“Last year, thanks to the work of partner agencies under Operation Bang, we drove down crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder in Rhondda Cynon Taf to an all-time low.
“We want to ensure that is the case for Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night 2010, but the true measure of our success will be the feedback secured from the communities we serve.”
