Firework curfew after midnight on November 5th
Thousands of children will be looking forward to Bonfire Night on November 5th as police are encouraging a sensible and considerate approach to this year's event.
Ealing Borough Police patrols, which will include all of their 23 Safer Neighbourhood Teams, will be challenging any individuals or groups behaving anti-socially at Guy Fawkes. They warn that this kind of behaviour is entirely unacceptable and are advising residents to contact the Police immediately if they feel intimidated.
They advise parents with young children who want to ‘penny for the guy’ to confine house calls to their immediate neighbours and to ensure beforehand that they were welcome. Particular care should be taken if children intended calling upon the elderly or people living alone. The following general advice is offered to parents:
An adult should always accompany children and groups.
Please confine 'Penny for the Guy ' house calling to children.
Be sure beforehand that there are no objections to children calling.
Agree the time that calls will be made.
Stick to friends or neighbours that you know in your immediate vicinity.
Respect your neighbours' wishes and their right to privacy.
Advice for residents: If you don’t want callers, put up a clearly visible sign. If you get unexpected calls be polite; angry or rude behaviour may be reciprocated. If you do receive nuisance/abuse callers then you can either call the Police or if you are afraid of retaliation the Police can always just do a drive by to show a presence in your area.
On Bonfire night, bonfires and fireworks are a major concern for Ealing Borough Police. They would advise people to attend organised events for safety reasons, as these events will have cordons, security, and medical assistance readily available in the event of an accident.
Police will also deal firmly with individuals who throw or light fireworks in the street or in public places. The Fireworks Regulations 2004, made under the Fireworks Act 2003, introduced a comprehensive package of measures including the curfews (times listed below) to reduce the misuse of fireworks and to minimise the nuisance factor associated with fireworks.
Fireworks that are being carried or used in contravention of any legislation will be seized to prevent misuse whilst also providing evidence against the offending individual.
Under Home Office anti-social behaviour measures, the police will be able to use Fixed Penalty Notices to deal with individuals setting of fireworks at night, youngsters caught with fireworks, and adults found with high-powered display fireworks.
Police will also be working with teams of officers from environmental health, trading standards and the fire service to prosecute traders who attempt to sell fireworks illegally in the lead up to Bonfire Night and on the night.
“We want everyone to enjoy the celebrations of Guy Fawkes Night. However, we would urge those participating in any event surrounding Guy Fawkes Night to act sensibly, be considerate to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, to think safety at all times, and always behave responsibly. By combining all of these factors we can help alleviate many of the problems that cause fear and disturbance to some residents during Guy Fawkes Night.”
Firework curfew between 11pm and 7am – this includes private premises.
Prohibition of any person under 18 years to possess any firework in a public place except sparklers, throw downs, party poppers, cracker snaps or caps
Prohibition of any person possessing a Category 4 firework without the appropriate qualification or training – these include large fireworks used in public displays
Preventing retailers from selling fireworks to any person under 18 years of age except sparklers, throw downs, party poppers, cracker snaps or caps
Throwing or firing any firework into any road, thoroughfare or public place.
All of these offences may result in the issuing of an upper tier Penalty Notice of Disorder that carries a fine of £80. Offenders who refuse to pay the £80 penalty will be subject to an increased fine of £120. The courts will pursue any unpaid fines using the new fine enforcement measures in the Courts Act 2003. These enforcement measures provide for deductions from earnings or benefits, registration on the debt registry, seizure of goods and clamping of vehicles - the ultimate sanction being jail.
For the most serious fireworks offences, the police will retain the power to prosecute offenders with penalties of a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison.
Fireworks that are being carried or used in contravention of any legislation will be seized to prevent misuse whilst also providing evidence against the offending individual.
November 2, 2006
|