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£80 penalty warning to fireworks louts
Date published: 26/10/2009
MISCHIEF-makers intent on causing trouble over Hallowe’en and Bonfire night will be targeted by police.
As part of Operation Treacle, neighbourhood officers will carry out regular patrols in hotspot areas to target anti-social behaviour and reassure communities.
They will also team up with Trading Standards officers and Oldham Council’s Challenge and Support Team to ensure firework safety and carry out test purchases at off-licenses to stop underage drinking.
Anyone found harassing or intimidating people — from playing with eggs and flour to vandalising property — will face police action in a tough crackdown.
New legislation will also mean that those under the age of 18 face an £80 fine if they are caught in possession of a firework.
Officers have been visiting schools to highlight the consequences of anti-social behaviour and a schools poster competition has been set up.
Residents have been given posters they can display in their windows saying trick or treaters aren’t welcome.
Copies are available at www.safe4autumn.com or by contacting your local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Chief Insp John Taylor said: “Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night can be a lot of fun for many people, but it can also be distressing and intimidating for some of our residents.
“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun. We and our partners just want to raise awareness of the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
“This could be a visit by police to an offender’s home or an £80 on-the-spot fine and a criminal record.
“My advice for a safe and enjoyable Hallowe’en and Bonfire is to respect others, use fireworks responsibly and attend an organised event.”
Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “We’re committed to working with our partners to continue to stamp out the nuisance related to fireworks and promote their safe and responsible handling.
“This is a high-profile and rapid response capability and anyone found to be indulging in such anti-social behaviour can face seizure of the fireworks, on-the-spot fines and prosecution.“
Residents are invited to meet officers on Friday to help find solutions to youths causing annoyance.
Contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to get involved.
Have Your Say
It would be interesting to know just how many tickets have been issued in the last four years during this period in Oldham
How many fines were dished out in Oldham last year? I can't remember any being reported. What's a tough crackdown when penalties are so laughable? a warning? A reprimand, or if it's really serious perhaps a caution?
How in all seriousness is a 14 year old going to pay an £80 fine? the whole idea is a bad joke!
So what's being done about unauthorised bonfires?
there were fireworks going off for about an hour as soon as darkness fell last night. I expect thats just the start of whats going to be a noisy few weeks. the sooner fireworks are restricted to organised displays the better.
More myth spreading Keith... I didn't read any exemption mentioned in the article for Glodwick...wonder if it applies to Fitton Hill, Sholver, Royton or Chadderton... or would that be labelled mischief making and premature.
For somebody who hates us you seem to spend an awful lot of time where we live, observing every little thing we do!
At least the young are "integrating"... learning how to be anti-social louts with no sense of personal responsibilty
I have to say fightback that there is an issue of fireworks being set off year round in the Glodwick area. Just because someone mentions it, it doesn't necessarily mean they are making some kind of devisive point, merely an observation of an area where they live?
Apt name: 'Operation Treacle.' Thick & slow moving. Yet another string to A£cock's bow, member for bangers, rip-raps, pin wheels & sparklers. Is there no start to the man's talents. 'OMBC takes it's responsibility towards fireworks very seriously,' he intoned, posing with an Atomic Megastar Supersonic Rocket (£155 from Under The Counter Fireworks). 'My aim...!' Whoops!! A carelessly discarded fag end & the shooting star of the council, left in a hurry. Continued on his return from Llandudno.
Fightback has got a point you know.I live in this area and fireworks are used all year round and i have never heard of anyone being fined for it.It would be a good idea to ban them altogether and then people would go to organised events if they really want to enjoy bonfire night and not be a nuisance to everyone else.
Flake - Keith only ever mentions "certain" areas when he has something negative to say. Why is he only ever "observing" in Glodwick, Werneth or Coppice when he doesn't even live there.
Shame this will not apply to glodwick, every week fireworks are set off
By Keith @ 26/10/2009 13:11:00
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