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Mischief Night

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West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership is cracking down on anti-social behaviour in the run up to Mischief Night and Bonfire Night.

The annual multi-agency Bright Sparx Campaign aims to build on the success of previous years. The Partnership will aim to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as the misuse of fireworks, criminal damage and the number of anti-social fires started deliberately.

Dave Tilleray, Community Safety Partnership chairman, said: “We believe our comprehensive action plan is an excellent way of tackling potential problems and dangers.”

Councillor Kevin Wright, portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “With Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night coming up we know some members of the community feel a little nervous at this time of year. But the Bright Sparx action plan will help to keep our streets safe.”

In the run up to bonfire night neighbourhood policing teams will be conducting visible patrols and will deal robustly with incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The Council, police and fire service will undertake a number of other initiatives, including:

  • Visiting people who have been attacked in previous years and other vulnerable residents to provide reassurance and advice
  • Taking fireworks from children who are under age
  • Removing bonfires from unauthorised sites
  • Giving children information about activities organised by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire County Council’s Wellbeing Prevention and Early Help Service during this period
  • Joint visits to schools from Lancashire Fire and Rescue and the Police to warn children of the dangers of playing with fireworks and the consequences of Anti-Social Behaviour
  • Directing young people to fun activities being delivered at local community centres

Community Action and Engagement events in Tanhouse, Digmoor, Little Digmoor and Old Skelmersdale during this period will aim to help reduce crime by removing rubbish and materials that could be used for criminal damage or starting fires. Advice will also be available on issues such as community safety and housing.

Skips will be available at the following locations from about 9.30am on different days for local people to get rid of rubbish:

  • Digmoor, on the field facing 171 Cherrycroft, Thursday 22 October
  • Digmoor, on the car park side of 200 Carfield , on Friday 23 October
  • Tanhouse, the car park by 176 Egerton, on Tuesday 27 October
  • Tanhouse, the car park behind 88 Enstone on Wednesday 28 October.
  • Little Digmoor, rear of the shop facing 114 Abbeywood on Thursday 29 October
  • Old Skelmersdale, on the main field, Tarlswood on Friday 30 October

The Dogs Trust and staff from the Council will be on Enstone between 11am and 3pm on Wednesday 28 October to microchip dogs and give out neutering vouchers for status dogs.

Council staff will undertake a variety of tasks, including visiting people known to store waste and encourage them to use the skips, which will be supervised at all times.

Fire service staff will be on hand to take referrals for home fire safety advice. Other organisations taking part include the Police, Trading Standards and the Community Payback Team.

The Community Safety Partnership will work with community leaders in Birch Green, Tanhouse and Digmoor to provide and promote activities offered at local community bases on Friday 30 October. These activities will be a lot of fun for young people in a safe environment, and funding has been received for them from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Other events planned include the Go4it activities at Skelmersdale Fire Station from Monday 2 November to Wednesday 4 November, between 5pm and 8pm on each evening.

West Lancashire Police Inspector June Chessell said: “As in previous years the police will work with partners to minimise crime and anti-social behaviour associated with Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night. We will have dedicated staff out across the Borough for this crucial period.”

The partnership is grateful to West Lancashire Borough Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for helping to fund these activities.

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