Improved behaviour

There was a 26 per cent drop in anti-social behaviour on Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Anti-social behaviour fell from 830 incidents between 22 October and 9 November last year to 609 in the same period this year.

In the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night, fire and police officers visited schools across the borough to educate young people about fire safety, while the council’s youth service engaged hundreds of young people on the mobile youth bus, at youth centres and during street patrols. 

Council Trading Standards Officers from the Public Protection Service along with the Police visited 24 premises across the borough to encourage them to sign up a voluntary Good Guy Scheme. As part of the visits they were advised of their legal obligation relating to only selling fireworks during limited periods, not selling fireworks to under 18s and only selling fireworks which meet strict British safety standards. They were also asked to sign up to voluntary conditions including challenge 25, and then issued with a pack and posters to display in their premises.

Trading Standards Officers also carried out a series of fireworks test purchase exercises, with only one of the 21 premises visited making the sale to underage volunteers.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will be visiting youth clubs in Deeplish to promote community safety messages following an isolated incident in which fire fighters were attacked while working in the area. 

Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir, from the Greater Manchester Police Rochdale Division, said: "This year we have worked with our partners and the community to make Rochdale Borough a safe place to enjoy the festivities of Halloween and Bonfire Night. The reduction in anti social behaviour and firework related incidents shows the responsible attitude of our young people. The few isolated incidents that did spoil some of the activities were in the minority. Those responsible have been identified and will be brought to justice."