Halloween and Bonfire Night always bring big crowds in Merseyside – but it’s no secret that these nights can turn dangerous.
Last night was Mischief Night. Most prevalent in the North West, the night often brings lots of reports of anti-social behaviour and this year was no exception. Arriva buses have announced diversions and suspensions of at least 16 routes which could last until tomorrow as buses were hit with missiles and bricks across Liverpool and the Wirral.
Whilst not as severe, Halloween and Bonfire Night are no exceptions to this kind of behaviour and they also bring a risk of accidents from fireworks. Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire & Rescue announced that 999 calls on Bonfire Night were down 48% last year compared to 2021.
They added that measures would be in place to ensure public safety such as high visibility officers patrolling areas and that dispersion zones would be set up if there are reports of anti-social behaviour.
To aid public safety and to ensure correct firework protocols are followed, they issued the following guidance to keep people safe.
it is illegal for people under 18 years old to posses or use fireworks in a public space
Firstly, they are urging people to think twice about holding private firework displays and instead attending organised as they are controlled and safer and carry less risk of people getting injured and bonfires spreading out of control.
They also reminded that it is illegal for people under 18 years old to posses or use fireworks in a public space.
Merseyside Police and trading standards have also been visiting shop keepers to ensure that they are selling fireworks legally with a license and that they are stored in a correct manner.
They have encouraged people to call trading standards if they have concerns with shops which are selling fireworks to people under 18.
Shopkeepers are also being urged not to sell items such as eggs, flour and shaving foam to people under 18.
Merseyside Police Chief Inspector Duncan Swan said: “We would urge parents and guardians to know where your child is, what they are up to and friends they are with.
“This is to ensure they are not causing unnecessary distress to residents in the area, but also for your child’s own safety and welfare.”
People are encouraged to remove their wheelie bins
MFRS Group Manager for Community Safety Franny Hill also encouraged people to be aware of ‘secondary fires’ such as wheelie bins and rubbish as they can prevent fire fighters from responding to serious, life-threatening incidents.
People are encouraged to remove their wheelie bins from the street to prevent them being set alight.
If you see a crime in progress you can call 999 or report it anonymously to independent charity crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured image by Matheus Bertelli via Pexels.
