Press Feature

Campaign to keep fireworks safe in Islington

October 2008

Islington Council is working closely with Islington Police, London Fire Brigade, Homes for Islington and businesses to make sure the Halloween/Bonfire Night season passes peacefully.

Action being taken in Islington between Halloween and Bonfire Night includes:

• Joint visits by Islington Council's Trading Standards officers and police to all shops in the borough selling fireworks and test purchases to make sure they are not sold to under-18s.
• Extra patrols and mobile units from Islington Police, Islington Council's Street Wardens and Park Guard team and HfI's Anti-Social Behaviour Out of Hours Service over the Halloween/Bonfire Night fireworks period.
• Safer Schools Police to work with the borough's schools to warn young people of the risks of misusing fireworks.
• Youth workers from Islington Council to target areas where there have been reports of fireworks misuse in the past.
• Briefings for businesses, caretakers and estate staff to help them prevent fireworks misuse and anti-social behaviour.

During last year's partnership campaign police reported a 32 per cent reduction in firework nuisance and anti-social behaviour calls compared with 2006.

Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, said: "We want everyone to have a good time and for children to have fun over half term.

"To build on last year's success when antisocial behaviour fell by a third - there'll be extra patrols from the council and police.

"We'll take a tough line on shops who sell fireworks illegally or people who misuse them so Halloween and Bonfire Night are enjoyed safely on Islington's estates, parks and streets."

Insp John Frost, of Islington Police's Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, said: “This year's activities build on the highly successful partnership firework initiative that has been developing over the past few years in Islington.

“Last year firework nuisance and anti-social behaviour calls went down by a third, and there was a 14 percent reduction in associated crime!

“Our local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are looking forward to working with our partners to build on this success for 2008.”

London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Islington, Peter Cowup, said: “This is a busy time of year for firefighters, so we’re pleased to work with our partners to reduce the antisocial behaviour that upsets local people and wastes the emergency services time.

"If Islington residents want to enjoy fireworks I’d advise them to visit an organised display, but if you do buy them yourself, please follow the firework code.”

USEFUL NUMBERS: To report anti-social behaviour call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, for suspected underage sales call Trading Standards on 020 7527 4028 and for unsafe storage call Islington Police on 020 7704 1212.

Or to call the Homes for Islington Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline number for estate residents call 020 7527 7272.

ENDS

For more information call Chris Roe, Islington Council Media Officer, on 020 7527 8751.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The following fireworks offences carry a maximum £5,000 fine, six months in prison, or both:

• Throwing fireworks or setting off fireworks in public places (for example, local parks, streets, car parks and bus stations).
• Possession of ‘adult fireworks’ by anyone under the age of 18 in a public place. Adult fireworks are any except for a cap, cracker snap, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns
• Selling fireworks to under-18s is also an offence