HIGH visibility’ patrols will swamp known anti-social behaviour hotspots in Barnsley in the run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night in a bid to curb incidents.
The period, from the end of October to November 5, has traditionally been one of the busiest in the year for officers and has led to South Yorkshire Police, Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue working together to combat issues.
Having started on October 1, Operation Dark Nights has been designed to tackle firework-related concerns with youths, arson and hotspots where anti-social behaviour has been taking place.
The operation, in its early stages, has seen test purchases carried out at premises thought to be selling alcohol and fireworks to underage people, while stores selling eggs and flour have also been asked to be cautious as the period approaches.
Inspector Andy Norton told the Chronicle: “There’s been a few things going on since the operation began and there will be extra patrols scheduled in at locations deemed to be high demand such as McDonald’s on Old Mill Lane.
“Between October 31 and November 5, extra resources will be put in place to make sure problems don’t arise.”
According to figures collated by police over the last three years, incidents have been reduced and the latest operation is aiming to continue the downward trend.
SYFR, as part of Operation Dark Nights, have issued guidelines to remind both sellers and buyers of fireworks that it is an offence to sell them including sparklers to under 18s; it’s illegal to possess fireworks in a public place for under 18s and not permitted to let off fireworks past midnight on Bonfire Night.
Simon Brookes, community safety manager for SYFR, revealed its schools’ programme which has seen officers visit schools whose localities have been affected by an ‘unprecedented’ summer of grassland-related arsons has already started.
“It’s important to engage with youngsters so they appreciate the dangers fires can have,” he added. “At this time of the year there’s the added complication of fireworks being readily available, so there’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes work done between the council and the police with licensing.
“The public don’t tend to see that and visits are also being carried out by those who are known to all agencies, those who have been responsible for starting fires in the past.”
Mark Giles, Safer Neighbourhood Services manager for Barnsley Council, said the multi-agency approach to dealing with the issues arising from the darker night period is key to preventing incidents.
“Everyone’s on the same page whereas before each agency had their own plan in how to best deal with the busy period,” he added. “By working together and sharing information, this puts us in a better position to be able to deal with any incidents involving anti-social behaviour across the borough.”
