Fall in Halloween crime
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Published On: Friday 6 November 2009
Dramatic fall in Halloween crime
Dramatic fall in anti social behaviour incidents over Halloween.
St.Helens recorded a dramatic fall in the number of anti social behaviour incidents over the Halloween weekend.
Following a number of planned activities by St.Helens Council, Merseyside Police and other partners , there were fewer than 60 Anti- Social behaviour related incidents reported to the Police across St Helens on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.
This was a massive 33% drop over last years figures. Anti social behaviour busting activities included a Test Purchase programme by St Helens Council Trading Standards conducted on seven stores testing for underage Firework sales. The sale of Fireworks was refused in all of the stores. Anti social behaviour dispersal orders zones were also introduced in the Moss Bank area and will operate for the next 6 months. In addition, 'Operation Staysafe' was run on both evenings which allowed for the early intervention by the Police and support services with young people to prevent them becoming involved in criminal or Anti-Social activity or becoming victims of crime themselves. As a result , over both evenings 11 young people were removed to a place of safety and their removal discussed with their parents. Another Operation focussed upon areas that residents had previously complained about and as a result over 150 units of alcohol were seized from under age young people and over 30 challenged about their behaviour.
In addition young people across the Borough engaged in positive activities organised by St Helens Council Youth and Library Services and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Fire Support Network.
Councillor Teresa Sims, Executive Member for Safer Communities was delighted with the results adding: “Through the use of high profile activities, early intervention and the offer of a range of youth activities we can tackle anti social behaviour successfully.”
Added Councillor Carole Kavanagh, Executive Member for Environmental Protection: “It was particularly pleasing that none of the seven shops tested were selling fireworks to underage youngsters. The Council clearly is getting the message out that we will not tolerate it.”
Superintendent Julie Cooke, who is head of Merseyside Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, said she was pleased that the vast majority of people enjoyed the Halloween period . She said: "It is very encouraging to see a significant fall in the number of incidents compared to 2008, especially considering that Halloween fell on a weekend and at half-term this year. It says to me that not only did the work by the emergency services and our partner agencies in the run up to this weekend pay dividends, but also that the vast majority of young people embraced the idea that it is all about having fun, not misbehaviour. It was disappointing that the Police had to seize of alcohol from young people who had either been sold it by adults or had it bought for them by adults who should know better but overall I think the operation has been a real success."
St.Helens recorded a dramatic fall in the number of anti social behaviour incidents over the Halloween weekend.
Following a number of planned activities by St.Helens Council, Merseyside Police and other partners , there were fewer than 60 Anti- Social behaviour related incidents reported to the Police across St Helens on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.
This was a massive 33% drop over last years figures. Anti social behaviour busting activities included a Test Purchase programme by St Helens Council Trading Standards conducted on seven stores testing for underage Firework sales. The sale of Fireworks was refused in all of the stores. Anti social behaviour dispersal orders zones were also introduced in the Moss Bank area and will operate for the next 6 months. In addition, 'Operation Staysafe' was run on both evenings which allowed for the early intervention by the Police and support services with young people to prevent them becoming involved in criminal or Anti-Social activity or becoming victims of crime themselves. As a result , over both evenings 11 young people were removed to a place of safety and their removal discussed with their parents. Another Operation focussed upon areas that residents had previously complained about and as a result over 150 units of alcohol were seized from under age young people and over 30 challenged about their behaviour.
In addition young people across the Borough engaged in positive activities organised by St Helens Council Youth and Library Services and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Fire Support Network.
Councillor Teresa Sims, Executive Member for Safer Communities was delighted with the results adding: “Through the use of high profile activities, early intervention and the offer of a range of youth activities we can tackle anti social behaviour successfully.”
Added Councillor Carole Kavanagh, Executive Member for Environmental Protection: “It was particularly pleasing that none of the seven shops tested were selling fireworks to underage youngsters. The Council clearly is getting the message out that we will not tolerate it.”
Superintendent Julie Cooke, who is head of Merseyside Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, said she was pleased that the vast majority of people enjoyed the Halloween period . She said: "It is very encouraging to see a significant fall in the number of incidents compared to 2008, especially considering that Halloween fell on a weekend and at half-term this year. It says to me that not only did the work by the emergency services and our partner agencies in the run up to this weekend pay dividends, but also that the vast majority of young people embraced the idea that it is all about having fun, not misbehaviour. It was disappointing that the Police had to seize of alcohol from young people who had either been sold it by adults or had it bought for them by adults who should know better but overall I think the operation has been a real success."
