FIFA tournaments and barbecues were used to encourage young people to stay out of trouble during this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations.
Diversionary activities and the distribution of “consequence cards” to young people were among the measures authorities used to prevent the anti-social behaviour that Bradford has suffered in previous years around Guy Fawkes Night.
Bradford Council says there was an improvement compared to previous years, but despite this, attacks on emergency service staff and “small pockets of disorder” were still reported.
To prepare for Bonfire Night – one of the worst periods of the year for arson and anti-social behaviour in the Bradford district – various council departments, including Cleansing and Neighbourhoods, worked to remove fly-tipped waste which could be used for illegal bonfires.
Youth Services also operated across the district to plan and provide diversionary activities for young people to deter them from dangerous activities involving fireworks.
“Consequence cards”, designed to remind people about the dangers of fireworks and their potential consequences, were also distributed to youth and community organisations.
The work involved a partnership between Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, mosques across the district, First Bus and Incommunities.
Bradford District Police reported fewer fireworks incidents this year. Police worked with Bradford Council to secure a closure order for the fireworks business Big Shotters last month, while West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service seized a large quantity of explosives which were being illegally stored.
Police also carried out extensive patrols and monitoring on Bonfire Night, with extra focus on locations across the district where anti-social behaviour involving fireworks had previously occurred.
They received 120 firework-related logs and made a total of seven arrests on Bonfire Night.
Chief Superintendent Sareth Humpage of West Yorkshire Police said: “We worked closely with our partners in West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities, and West Yorkshire Trading Standards for a number of months prior to November 5 to help residents have a safer Halloween and Bonfire Night.
“Uniformed officers carried out extensive reassurance patrols in communities and joint action saw agencies seize illegal fireworks and bring a closure order against a business in Bradford.
“I want to thank everyone involved in the operation for their hard work in helping both the Halloween and Bonfire celebrations pass off safely.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service reported that crews dealt with a number of attacks on fire engines, while incident numbers remained at their usual level.
District Commander Benjy Bush said: “We’d like to thank the vast majority of people in Bradford who celebrated Bonfire Night safely with friends and family. Unfortunately, we did see some small pockets of disorder over the bonfire period across West Yorkshire, including attacks on our crews which is unacceptable.
“However, this was a minority with most people across the district choosing to follow our advice and attend an organised display or to celebrate at home, while following our safety advice.”
Mosques across the district also played a role on Bonfire Night by opening their doors as community hubs for young people.
Faizane Madinah in Toller organised a barbecue, table football and talks for young people, while Milat-e-Islamia in City Ward arranged activities including indoor football, gaming consoles and FIFA tournaments, as well as providing hot food.
Jamia Muhammadia Mosque in Barkerend reported that its Bonfire Night activities were a success, attracting more than 100 young people.
First Bus, one of the district’s main bus operators, reported a successful night, with an 80 per cent reduction in incidents.
Ian Kershaw, General Manager of First Bus in Bradford, said: “Our collaboration with council and emergency services has been really beneficial in helping to promote a positive message about the behaviour of young people on Halloween and Bonfire Night. We have seen only isolated incidents which ensured minimal disruption to our services.”
Cllr Ian Walker, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: “We are very pleased that this year has seen an improvement on the number of incidents our agencies have had to deal with. We recognise there’s still a way to go and that we need to continue to work together on getting the message out that anti-social and dangerous behaviour is not acceptable. We thank everyone involved for their hard work, dedication and commitment in the planning, and in the huge operation required.”
