£80 penalty warning to fireworks louts

Photo: Picture: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Pictured at Chadderton fire station (left-right) firemen Mick Harris and Andy Anderson, Kevin Welch (Principal Trading Standards Officer), Councillor Mark Alcock, and Sgt. Jim Kenworthy (Challenge and Support Team manager).

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.