Cardiff’s Safer Capital Partnership is getting ready for what has traditionally become one the busiest times of the year.
With celebrations for Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching a concerted effort is once again being undertaken by community safety partners including South Wales Police, Cardiff Council and the Fire Service to reduce the number of incidents over this period.
Operation Be A Nice Guy (BANG) will see officers setting about reassuring the communities that everything possible is being done to ensure that the tricks and excitements of both events do not turn into anything more disturbing.
Safer Capital will be launching the 2010 Operation BANG campaign at St David’s’ Hall, Cardiff, today (Friday, October 15) with the showing of a DVD produced by local school children.
The DVD has been designed by year 4 pupils from St Mary the Virgin School in Butetown and aims to encourage young people to behave responsibly over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.
With subtitles in 6 languages, the four minute animation will be distributed to schools and youths clubs across Cardiff, shown on Cardiff Buses and broadcast on the large screen on St David’s Hall twice a day.
It also includes an interactive quiz which can be used as a teaching aid.
Headteacher at St Mary the Virgin School Ruth Jackson said: “The project has been a great way of combining the fun of Bonfire night with the very important messages of keeping safe and acting sensibly.
“The children have had a fantastic time creating the DVD and we hope that others will enjoy watching it and remember to act responsibly.”
The driving force behind the DVD ‘Peer to Peer’ is Front Line Support Officer Andrew McCarthy who covers Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay.
“The DVD is aimed at educating children about the impact their behaviour can have on the wider community and advice how to stay safe,” said Andrew.
“It is just one of the many ways we are trying to reduce anti social behaviour over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period, and keep everyone safe.
“The pupils at St Mary the Virgin School have created the story line, come up with the characters, and provided the voiceovers
“I am delighted we have been able to reward their hard work and creativity with today’s red carpet launch.
“I am also grateful for the support of Cardiff Bus, who have agreed to transport the children to the launch, and St David’s Hall and the city centre management team for hosting the event.”
