Shops are being asked to not sell eggs and flour to young people out to cause mischief, whilst pupils are being advised to act responsibly and are being given advice on the dangers of bonfires and fireworks, as the police and fire service visit local schools.
Posters have also been produced for householders to display in their windows to say whether they welcome trick or treaters. They have been distributed amongst the community and are also available at the council’s customer service centres, police stations and can be downloaded from the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Scarlets star Dafydd Jones said: “We are happy to lend our support to this campaign and we’d urge the youngsters to have a great time but most importantly to make sure they stay safe.
“We totally support what the partnership is doing to highlight the importance of playing safe at Halloween and Bonfire Night, while these big events are great fun, it is important everyone enjoys without causing any danger to themselves or others.”
Police will be stepping up patrols, visiting licensed premises and working with the council’s trading standards regarding the sale of fireworks.
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.
The council’s youth service is holding a number of diversionary activities including Blue Light discos and a trip to see the Cardiff Devils ice hockey.
The council’s executive board member for community safety Councillor Pam Palmer said: “We do not want to be kill joys and spoil people’s fun but we understand many residents, particularly the elderly, dread this time of year. My advice for a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire Night is to show respect for others and act responsibly.”
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.
Trick or treating advice:
- Always go with an adult
- Only to go to houses where you or your friends know the people and know you are welcome
- Only go to houses displaying the ‘trick or treaters’ welcome poster
- Don’t talk to strangers
- Don’t enter the house always stay on the doorstep
Fireworks safety:
- Always buy fireworks that conform to British Standards. They should have BS 7114 written on the side of the box.
- It is illegal for anyone under 18 to be in possession of a firework.
- It is illegal to set off fireworks after midnight on November 5.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box. Follow the instructions on each firework, light at arm’s length, and stand well back,
- Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
- Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
- Always supervise children around fireworks.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
- Do not set off fireworks in a street or public place (unless it is an organised event).
