Ealing Borough Police wants the community to enjoy the Festival of Light, but is urging everyone who is celebrating Diwali to think safety at all times. They ask residents to remember to secure their homes before coming out in the evening; ensure that their valuables including mobile phones are well secured when out on the street; behave responsibly when dealing with fireworks and where possible use public transport to minimise congestion in the area.

Chief Inspector Gordon Atkinson explained

�Previously the behaviour of some people during Diwali celebrations was preventing others from enjoying the occasion in a safe and enjoyable manner. Last year, Diwali celebrations were quieter than in previous years with no major disturbances, no road closures, few arrests and incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The success of last year�s event would not have happened without the full support of the community to our policing strategy. I would like to thank community and those who participated in last year�s celebrations for that success. The continued support shown by the community of our policing strategy during Diwali will ensure that those people celebrating can do so safely, whilst minimising the disruption to the rest of the Southall community.

We will continue to working closely with our partners and the local community to help preserve the dignity of the occasion and ensure that it is a safe event for all those in attendance. We will not allow the celebrations be overshadowed by anti-social, disruptive and dangerous behaviour�.

Police will be dealing firmly with individuals who throw or light fireworks in the street or in public places, although no road closures are currently planned.

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 use Fixed Penalty Notices to deal with individuals setting off fireworks at night, youngsters caught with fireworks, and adults found with high-powered display fireworks.

Chief Inspector Gordon Atkinson said

�Some people may not realise that the misuse of fireworks is a criminal offence. We will take a robust approach to those individuals, who put their own and other people�s safety at risk by this sort of behaviour. I would urge anybody who thinks that they are going to behave in this way on the streets of Southall to think again�.

Police will also be working with officers from environmental health and trading standards by enforcing the firework legislation to traders who attempt to sell fireworks illegally in the lead up to and on the night of the Diwali celebrations. This approach would enable the police and local authority to pool their specialist knowledge, skills and powers to provide a comprehensive response to safety concerns about the illegal supply and storage of fireworks.

Also don�t let a burglar spoil your Diwali. Make sure you lock doors and windows even if you are leaving the house for a short time. Install timers that switch lights on and off automatically to make it appear that the house is occupied. Many of the homes burgled in London are fitted with approved British Standard doors, windows and burglar alarms. However, these home security devices were rendered useless because windows or doors were left open and alarm systems not set on.

In response to public concern about the anti-social use of fireworks, new legislation has recently come into existence. Legislation includes:

- Firework curfew between 11pm and 7am � this includes private premises (except for Diwali on Tuesday 1st November 2005 where fireworks are permitted until 0100am on 2nd November 2005)

- 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.

The police would strongly advise any residents who reside in Southall and are intending to use their vehicles that night to carry proof of address in their vehicles. They would also ask those attending the Southall Area during Diwali to use public transport where possible to help minimise congestion in the area.

October 20, 2005