Fireworks kept out of wrong hands

Record low in bonfire incidents

Oldham youngsters can give themselves a pat on the back for helping cut Hallowe’en and Bonfire night incidents to a record low.

Retailers have also played their part by sticking to the rules on firework sales.

Chief Insp John Taylor, of Oldham’s Community Safety Service, has just finished analysing figures from the 2009 season.

They show there has been a drop of 79 per cent in firework-related anti-social behaviour incidents in six years since 2004.

Police found that 2003 was a watershed year when incidents rocketed to 435. Along with Trading Standards, youth workers, the fire service, schools and teachers, they began a programme of education, information and enforcement.

The successful pattern is now being repeated across Greater Manchester in Operation Treacle.

The approach has led to reported firework-related incidents dropping to an all-time low of 91 in Oldham this year.

Mr Taylor added: “This year there have been no prosecutions, no fixed penalty notices and no failed test purchase operations. And 988 illegally held fireworks have been seized and kept out of the wrong hands.”

The approach begins with awareness raising, making sure police and trading standards officers know exactly what their powers are, reminding retailers of their responsibilities, repeating visits and taking action where they break the law. This has reduced the number of licensed retailers from 160 to 70, cutting out rogue traders.

Sgt Jim Kenworthy and his Challenge and Support team of officers go into schools to help to educate 23,000 young people about the dangers and how to enjoy fireworks safely.

Mr Taylor said: “There has been a drop of 58 per cent in youth anti-social behaviour in Alexandra Ward, and in St Mary’s a 77 per cent reduction in firework-related anti-social behaviour. There were also 57 alcohol seizures.”

For the past two years, Oldham’s success has been cited as as good working model by the Home Office, and Mr Taylor has been invited to speak at major conferences.

Councillor Rod Blyth said: “Firework-related anti-social behaviour can cause significant distress. This is a significant reduction. I would like to thank everyone who is involved for their hard work.”

Now the emphasis has shifted to Christmas and keeping people safe, especially from burglars.