Operation praised for cut in crime

POLICE chiefs claim a dramatic reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour saved Greater Manchester half a million pounds over the bonfire period.

They say the savings are a result of Operation Treacle, which led to a safer, more trouble-free time between Hallowe’en and Bonfire night.

The initiative — designed to stamp out trouble and reduce injuries caused by fireworks — saw arson, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and call-outs to small fires all down over a two-week period, when compared with last year.

The operation was a joint initiative by Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards, the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities, Greater Manchester Transport Executive and Chambers of Commerce.

Arson was down 31.1 per cent (61 fewer incidents), criminal damage by 24.5 per cent (585 fewer incidents), anti-social behaviour by 14.8 per cent (1,504 fewer incidents) and call-outs to small fires by 2.4 per cent (28 fewer incidents).

The £560,000 saving is based on the costs of dealing with criminal damage and fires.

Chief Insp Phil Unsworth said: “The success of Operation Treacle is due to a number of factors. The joint marketing campaign was extremely effective and shows that people have listened to our safety messages.

Fire chiefs reported a 14 per cent reduction in bonfire-related incidents and a 33 per cent reduction in firework-related incidents.

Assistant County Fire Officer Steve Beckley said: “Initiatives such as the fireworks amnesty, has helped reduce the impact of bonfires and fireworks.”

Greater Manchester Trading Standards spokesman Graeme Levy said: “Visits to firework retailers were again prioritised.

“Where we sent an under age volunteer in to premises to test for an illegal sale they were refused on 130 occasions out of 140. The 10 shops who sold will face action, including prosecution.”