Be safe, be considerate
12 October 2012
The Bexley Community Safety Partnership has plans in place to make sure this year's Halloween and Firework celebrations go smoothly and safely for everyone, including those who do not wish to take part.
Halloween (31 October) falls in the middle of the school half term holiday this year, followed by firework night on Monday 5 November. However, many organised firework events are expected to take place over the weekend of 3 and 4 November.
Cllr Katie Perrior, the Council's Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety said: "We appreciate that at Halloween some children choose to dress up to go 'trick or treating'. Most simply want to have fun and collect sweets and goodies. But for some people, especially the elderly and vulnerable, this time of year can be scary. They have no idea who is knocking on their door; often it is dark; and all they can hear is laughter and shouting. Some residents also choose not to mark Halloween for personal reasons.
"Our 'Be Safe, be considerate' campaign is about reminding our younger residents that not everyone enjoys this time of year. Not only do we want them to keep safe, but we want our vulnerable residents to feel safe too.
"Children should have adults with them if trick or treating, or if they feel they are too old - they can take part in some of the extra activities we are organising on that night."
Welling Rotary Club is once again putting on its firework display in Danson Park on Saturday 3 November and the Partnership is encouraging families to celebrate firework night together in safety at an organised event such as this.
Bexley Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team Chief Inspector, Ian Broadbridge said: "My officers are already visiting schools in Bexley to give a clear message that we want everyone to have a good time at Halloween and on firework night, but safely and without intimidating or frightening others.
"Officers are also visiting local retailers to give advice on acting responsibly by not selling eggs and flour to young people."
Bexley's Trading Standards Officers, the police and the fire service will be visiting retailers selling fireworks in the coming weeks, to ensure they are storing them correctly and that they are operating a 'challenge 25' system. This means that anyone looking under the age of 25 years old will be asked to show identity to prove that they are over 18 before a sale is made.
Borough Fire Commander, Cyril O'Brien, said: "Of course we would rather people attend the local displays, but if they are considering having their own celebrations they should remember that fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage, and at no point should they be seen as a 'playthings'. We just want people to celebrate safely!"
Traders that are found to be selling fireworks illegally or storing them incorrectly will be prosecuted. The public can report shops that sell fireworks to people under the age of 18 to Trading Standards on ts@bexley.gov.uk or by calling 0203 045 5627
There is a 'no trick or treat' leaflet that can be displayed in the window by people who do not want trick or treaters at their door. This is available for free by using the link on the right hand side, by visiting the Council's Contact Centre or calling 020 8303 7777.
There is also a leaflet for shops to put in their windows saying they will not sell eggs and flour to under 18s that is also available on the right hand side.
