News

Police in Shepway have launched a special initiative to target anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder to cover half-term, Halloween and Bonfire night.

Extra officers will be on the streets for the ‘Safer Autumn’ campaign as analysis shows this is historically a period when anti-social behaviour goes up.

The main aim of Safer Autumn is to improve the quality of life for communities in Shepway and to provide reassurance that anti-social criminality is being addressed.

A dedicated Sergeant will monitor every call made to the control centre to ensure that police resources are sent to where they are most needed as quickly as possible.

Patrols will be deployed to maintain a high level of police visibility, especially in areas that have been identified as having more reported incidents, and will deal swiftly with offenders.

Officers will once again be enforcing the Firework Regulations that came into force in 2004 and make it an offence for anyone under 18 to be in possession of a firework.

They will also take action against anyone selling fireworks to people aged under 18. The public are being asked to report to their local PCSO or neighbourhood officer anyone they see selling fireworks to children and young people.

The Licensing Enforcement Team will be paying visits to on and off licensed premises to ensure that the laws relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol are being upheld.

Particular attention will be paid to cases where alcohol is being served to drunk people and those under 18-years-old.

Chief Inspector Luke Dodson, District Commander of Shepway said: “We are entering one of busiest times of the year with half term, Hallowe’en, Bonfire night and the start of the festive party season.”

“There is a strong link between alcohol consumption and anti-social criminality, and officers working on the Safer Autumn initiative will be using all their powers to tackle the minority of people who cause a nuisance and try to spoil things for everybody else.”

Neighbourhood policing officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) are supporting the Safer Autumn campaign by visiting local schools to encourage youngsters to enjoy a safe and sensible autumn.

They have distributed leaflets that explain how some residents can be worried about trick or treat callers and that their right to live without fear should be respected. The other side of the leaflet is designed to be displayed by people who do not want trick or treat callers.

These leaflets can be downloaded from the Kent Police website, www.kent.police.uk, or obtained from police stations and have proved popular in previous years.

Officers and PCSOs have also been visiting local shop keepers who want to play their part in keeping their area safe, with posters that make it clear they won’t sell fireworks to anyone under 18 or eggs and flour to anyone under 16 as these are sometimes used by trick or treaters to cause nuisance and mess.

Top tips for enjoying a Safer Autumn:

Stay safe at Halloween

Young people who plan to trick or treat are being encouraged to enjoy themselves but to be responsible at the same time. Trick or treat tips include:

· Always have an adult with you;

· Only call at houses where you know the people who live there;

· Respect older people – if there is a notice asking you not to call, then please don’t;

Throwing flour and eggs is not funny and you could end up in trouble. Around
Halloween, many shops will not sell flour and eggs to under 16s.

Stay safe from fireworks

It is against the law to:

sell fireworks to anyone under 18, have fireworks if you are under 18.

It is also against the law to let them off after 11pm or before 7am (with the exceptions of Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year). Those who break the law by using fireworks in a way that causes nuisance could be fined £80. Those who use them dangerously could end up in prison.

Stay safe when you go out

The clocks go back an hour on 28 October, so take extra care in the darker evenings.

People should ensure they are visible – including young people travelling to and from school.

Always try to stay in well-lit areas.