Press Releases

Council crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour ( PR 1313)

As Diwali, Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night approach Ealing Council is taking steps to ensure celebrations are memorable for all the right reasons.

Every year reports of crime and anti-social behaviour soar during festival season.  Now Ealing Council has joined forces with the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade to mount a campaign to cut crime and make the borough safer.

As part of the operation Council officers will be carrying out spot checks on shops to ensure fireworks are stored properly and meet British Safety Standards.  There will also be undercover test purchasing operations to catch out traders selling fireworks illegally to children. 

Under national legislation it is an offence to set off fireworks:

The Council’s party patrol will be out in force through out the festivities to ensure celebrations don’t get out of hand and to remind people not to break fireworks curfews. 

Residents will also be given postcards to display in their windows asking people to respect their wishes if they don’t want to be called on by trick or treaters.

Burglary rates often rise as the clocks go back and the nights draw in, so people are being reminded to set timer switches to turn lights on if they are out and about in the evening.  The Council’s Community Safety Team will be holding events at locations across the borough to give people information about protecting their home and staying safe.  Victims of residential burglary will continue to be referred to the Council’s scheme and be offered free security improvements to secure their home. Vulnerable people are also being offered home visits to provide security advice and reassurance over this period.

Councillor Vlod Barchuk, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “This time of year can be intimidating for some residents because of a few irresponsible people. As part of our priority of making Ealing safer, this campaign is aimed to clampdown on anyone who is involved in making this time of year dangerous and miserable for others.  

“As the nights draw in and the clocks go back this weekend, it’s important that residents are reminded to protect their homes and valuables from opportunist burglars. This campaign will help residents get advice and some practical suggestions for changes to be made to their homes to make them safer.”

Community and Partnership Superintendent Ian Jenkins of Ealing Borough Police said: “Police officers will be working in joint operations with council teams across the borough. There are a number of events planned over the next two months focussing on educating young people and helping vulnerable residents make their homes more secure.  We will be taking enforcement action against anyone caught using the autumn celebrations as an opportunity to profit from selling dangerous or illegal goods and behaving in an anti-social manner.” 

For more information about the operation visit www.ealing.gov.uk/staysafe