It's that time of year again when thoughts turn to Bonfire Night fun. For the Community Safety partners in East Dunbartonshire, the focus is on keeping local people safe in the lead up and on the big night itself.
The partners - East Dunbartonshire Council, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland - have come together again this year and are taking a joint approach to ensuring the night passes as smoothly as possible.
They will be working to minimise antisocial behaviour, discourage the misuse of fireworks and reduce the number of bonfires being built in dangerous locations.
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of the Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, “Attending an organised fireworks display is by far the safest way to enjoy Guy Fawkes night.
"For many people, the run up to the 5th of November and the night itself is a scary and stressful time. Antisocial behaviour involving the misuse of fireworks or the setting of bonfires that are dangerous are a nuisance to us all and will be tackled head on.
"Bonfires that are not properly constructed or supervised are a very real threat to the safety of everyone in the community. If you intend to use fireworks, please plan properly and follow the advice of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety/) While fireworks can be great fun, they can be extremely dangerous and should be treated with respect.
"Our Community Wardens will work with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland to deal with reports of unauthorised bonfires and antisocial behaviour. And our Trading Standards Officers will be carrying out inspections of all premises licensed to sell fireworks to ensure that they are complying with the law. They will carry out checks to ensure safe storage, that the items stored are legally compliant and that fireworks are not supplied to anyone under the age of 18."
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander Paul Devlin said, “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting because it puts our communities at great risk.
"As well as potentially delaying attendance at a more serious incident, fire setting can result in injury, property damage and environmental pollution. We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with accordingly.
“Prevention is the key to safeguarding our local communities and our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with the public to promote safety messages in order to keep our communities as safe as possible. In the weeks prior to Bonfire Night our personnel visit schools and youth groups to talk to young people about the dangers posed by deliberate fires, as well as fireworks.
"Sadly, every year there are incidents of firefighters being subjected to attacks during the bonfire period in particular; this is unacceptable as our firefighters are there to serve their community to ensure their safety."
"Parents and carers can also help by making sure that children and young people are aware of the risks of playing with fire, the consequences of deliberately setting a fire and the inherent risks of fireworks. By ensuring that you are aware of where the children or young people you look after are, and what they’re doing, you can help keep everyone in your family and community safe from deliberate fires.”
Chief Inspector Lorna Gibson, Area Commander for East Dunbartonshire, Police Scotland, added, “I would like to encourage members of the public to attend official organised events as they are the safest and easiest way to be part of this enjoyable time of year.
"Misuse or irresponsible use of fireworks can cause lasting injury and have a detrimental effect on local communities due to the noise and associated antisocial behaviour.
"Along with our community safety partners, we will be out proactively tackling firework misuse and illegal bonfires to ensure people and communities are kept safe whilst enjoying activities at this time of year.
"We are working with our communities and while we want people to enjoy themselves, we will take positive action against anyone participating in disorder or antisocial behaviour.”
There are a number of free fireworks events this year including:
- Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell – Tues 5 Nov (bonfire 6.45pm & fireworks 7.30pm)
- Glasgow Green, Glasgow – Tues 5 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- Drumchapel & West Winterfest Fireworks – Tues 5 Nov (fireworks 7pm)
- Dalmuir Park, Clydebank - Tues 5 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge, ML5 2EH - Mon 4 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- St Maurice’s High, North Rd, Cumbernauld, G68 9AG – Mon 4 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contacted through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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