#ProtectRespectEnjoy – Op Bang 2021

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13:37 19/10/2021

With celebrations for Halloween and Bonfire Night upon us, North Wales Police are once again working with partners including the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service to help ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.

Pumpkin-carving, fancy dress and watching fireworks are often highlights in the family calendar, however Halloween and Bonfire Night are not fun for everyone and leave many members of our community feeling anxious, intimidated and fearful.

With a small minority using Halloween and Bonfire as an excuse to commit anti-social behaviour, North Wales Police are urging parents and carers to take an interest in their children’s plans to ensure they’re acting responsibly and not risking falling foul of the law. The consequences of antisocial behaviour and criminality can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life, and on those affected by their actions.

The period is traditionally busy for the emergency services across Wales and our Police Officers, PCSO’s and Special Constabulary will continue to be visible in our communities in the run up to, and during the festivities to help prevent and detect antisocial behaviour.

For the vulnerable or older members of our communities, the Halloween and Bonfire Night period can be distressing and intimidating, therefore we have once again created two Halloween posters for members of the public to display, indicating whether they welcome trick or treaters, and these are available to download and print from the North Wales Police website. A small number of posters will also be distributed by local policing teams amongst the more vulnerable communities.

Once again our local policing teams are working closely with local authority partners and retailers, and over the next few weeks our School Community Police Officers will be visiting schools and educating pupils of the consequences of antisocial behaviour as well as educating on the dangers of the misuse of fireworks and bonfires.

Activity packs and ideas on how to celebrate Halloween at home have also be created which are available to download and print via the North Wales Police website.

Superintendent Helen Corcoran of North Wales Police said: “We hope that this year, as was the case 12 months ago, people will take a responsible attitude to Halloween and Bonfire Night. The last 18 months has been difficult for everybody, and it’s understandable that many will be looking forward to celebrating the period with their families.

“We know the majority of people enjoy this time of year sensibly and we are not out to spoil their fun but unfortunately there is a minority who are intent on causing problems and use the festivities as an excuse to commit crime and act anti-socially. We want to work with our communities to ensure that they can enjoy themselves safely, so we will have officers out and about across the region – helping to educate, reassure and keep our communities safe.

“Once again we’ve created some useful posters for people to display in their windows, and I would encourage you all to download and print for elderly relatives or neighbours. If you see a poster being displayed asking for trick or treaters not to call, please respect their request to be left alone.”

Demand on emergency services rise significantly during the Halloween and Bonfire period. To help us keep our lines free for those who need us most, please ensure you’re contacting the most relevant agency and using the most appropriate means of contact.

Concerns around antisocial behaviour and public safety is a matter for the police. If it’s not an emergency, you can contact us via the website. In an emergency always dial 999.

Concerns about noise, the sale of fireworks and other related items, and littering/fly-tipping should be directed to your local authority via Our partners | North Wales Police

Spooktacular tips for Trick or Treaters:

Young children should always go trick or treating with an appropriate adult
Plan your route and let people know where you are
Do not take short cuts
Make sure you stay in areas that are well lit with street lamps, and take a torch with you
Never go into a stranger’s house
Please respect residents who choose not to take part
Don’t talk to strangers on the street
Be careful not to frighten vulnerable people, especially the elderly
Ensure you are always visible; it may be a good idea to wear reflective tape on your costume so that you are seen by motorists
Look carefully before crossing the road
Remember that throwing eggs and flour at property is classed as criminal damage - and the police will deal with all incidents of anti-social behaviour accordingly
Attending an organised display is the safest way to enjoy fireworks
It’s an offence to sell or give Fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. You can be fined or imprisoned for buying or using fireworks illegally
It is also an offence to set off fireworks in a public place