CELEBRATE SAFELY THIS HALLOWEEN AND BONFIRE NIGHT
Residents across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being urged to celebrate safely this Halloween and Bonfire night as part of a campaign.
The Celebrate Safely campaign aims to share important safety messages and advice about upcoming celebrations. The initiative is focusing on reducing the number of complaints about Halloween related anti-social, while also encouraging safety around fireworks and bonfires on bonfire night.
The campaign involves Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and a number of district and borough councils across the county.
Andrew Brodie, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said: “It’s essential we all celebrate safely during the up and coming festive period.”
“Halloween and Bonfire Night are great opportunities to celebrate and both should be fun for all to enjoy. Whether out and about or at home celebrating, we want everyone to enjoy themselves safely.”
“We want to reassure our local communities that the local public-sector agencies involved in the Celebrate Safely campaign are doing everything possible to help you celebrate these events safely.”
“We ask you to pay close attention to all aspects of your safety during this period and visit our website for more information on how to keep you and your family safe. A few minutes of your time could help protect you, your family and your friends as well as your property and belongings.”
Councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for community safety at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We want people to enjoy the festivities over the next few months, but again we urge people to celebrate safely.”
“Leicestershire County Council’s IMPACT team will be trying to engage with young people in areas of the county by spreading the message to keep safe and not get involved in antisocial behaviour.”
“Halloween should be a fun event for all. We want to reassure communities that their decision to celebrate or not will be respected.”
Over Halloween, Leicestershire residents will be able to get their hands on double sided posters, found on Leicestershire Police’s website, which display the following messages:
• Trick or Treaters Welcome Here
• No Thanks Trick or Treaters
Chief inspector Jed Keen, Leicester Police Force’s lead on antisocial behaviour, said: “Our message to trick or treaters this year is to listen to the wishes of local residents and only trick or treat where you are welcome.
“We want young people to enjoy the evening without causing distress to others so please respect people’s wishes over the Halloween period. People often decorate the outside of their homes if they are happy to have trick or treaters or look out for our pumpkin posters and respect those homes with the ‘No Thanks’ message.”
John Leach, Director Neighbourhood & Environment Services at Leicester City Council, added: “We want people to enjoy the festivities and to do this safely, so we want everyone to be vigilant making sure that both they and their properties are safe and secure.”
Anyone who wants to report antisocial behaviour in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland can call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
For more in depth information or to download the Halloween trick or treat poster, visit the Celebrate Safely website here: www.celebratesafely.com.
The Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Celebrate Safely Halloween video is available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsLJSDd3Jq0.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
