With celebrations for Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, Flintshire Community Safety Partnership wants to wish residents of Flintshire a safe and trouble-free time.
Working with our partnership agencies, lots of good work is taking place to ensure that residents are not subjected to Anti Social Behaviour. We are working with shopkeepers, encouraging them not to sell flour and eggs to children in the days running up to October 31; Trading Standards will be working with local neighbourhood policing teams tackling under-age sales of fireworks and alcohol; and our Police School Liaison Officers will also be talking to young people about how their behaviour can affect others – after all, not everyone wants to join in the Halloween celebrations. They will also be reminding young people to keep themselves safe if they go out trick or treating and will be giving out specially made bookmarks which contain advice.
There are also lots of diversionary activities taking place across Flintshire, some of which have been given financial support provided by the Police and Community Trust (P.A.C.T.), the Rotary Club of Deeside, North Wales Fire and Rescue Services and the Arson Reduction Team.
Inspector Martin Best said:
“The South Flintshire Neighbourhood Policing Team will be working closely with partners and the community to ensure that the annual Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations are not used as an excuse to commit Anti Social Behaviour, which can significantly affect the quality of life for residents in the area.”
Top Tips for Trick-or-Treat
- Young children should always go trick or treating with an appropriate adult
- Plan your route and let people know where you are
- Do not take short cuts
- Make sure you stay in areas that are well lit with street lamps, and take a torch with you
- Never go into a stranger’s house
- Do not knock on doors where a ‘No Trick or Treat’ sign is visible
- Don’t talk to strangers on the street
- Be careful not to frighten vulnerable people, especially the elderly
- Ensure you are always visible; it may be a good idea to wear reflective tape on your costume
- Look carefully before crossing the road
- Remember that throwing eggs and flour at property is classed as criminal damage – and the police will deal with all incidents of anti-social behaviour accordingly
- And finally… be polite on Halloween night
Safety & Fireworks
- Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
- Keep fireworks in a closed box
- Follow the instructions on each firework
- Light at arms length, using a taper
- 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
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
- Never give sparkles to a child under five
- Keep pets indoors
The Law
It is an offence for under 18’s to possess a Category 2 or 3 firework in a public place (allowed in door fireworks and sparklers).
It is an offence to supply persons under 18 with fireworks.
Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, and party poppers may be supplied to persons 16 and above and can be possessed in public.
Fireworks may NOT be used during the night hours of 11pm to 7am. HOWEVER on designated fireworks nights the restrictions are as follows:
November 5 – curfew operates between 12 midnight and 7am the following day.
