With the 5th of November fast approaching, Community Safety partners in East Dunbartonshire are urging people to keep safe whilst enjoying Bonfire Night festivities.
The partners – made up of East Dunbartonshire Council, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland – are working together on a joint approach to minimise antisocial behaviour, discourage the misuse of fireworks and reduce the number of bonfires being built in dangerous locations.
Convener of Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, Councillor Billy Hendry, said, “Those of us who enjoy the spectacle of fireworks and bonfires should always be mindful that fire can quickly get out of control and that fireworks can be extremely dangerous. We should also consider that some people do not enjoy the festivities and find fireworks, in particular, extremely frightening. Reports of antisocial-behaviour caused by misuse of fireworks or unauthorised bonfires will be dealt with by our officers who will be working with our community safety partners throughout Bonfire Night.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager 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.”
He continued, “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 as many 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.
He added, “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 Gerry Corrigan, Area Commander for East Dunbartonshire, Police Scotland, said, “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.”
Councillor Hendry concluded, “Attending an organised fireworks display is by far the safest way to enjoy Guy Fawkes’ night and there are a number of free events nearby. If you are planning on going along please have a safe and enjoyable evening.”
Organised displays arranged this year include:
- St Maurice’s High School, Cumbernauld – Saturday 3 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell – Monday 5 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- Glasgow Green, Glasgow – Monday 5 Nov (fireworks 7.30pm)
- Dalmuir Park, Clydebank – Tuesday 6 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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