Pictured within Morrisons supermarket in Ayr, Provost Sloan with representatives from the agencies.
A multi agency initiative, to help people have fun, stay safe, not get injured by bonfires and stop antisocial behaviour has been spreading an important safety message across South Ayrshire.
The 2007 Bonfirewatch campaign, co-ordinated by the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership Antisocial Behaviour Team, is being run in partnership with Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Community Support Officers, Trading Standards Officer and Waste Management staff.
Bonfirewatch aims to:
- Reduce the number of illegal bonfires that are constructed.
- Reduce the amount of injuries caused by fireworks and bonfires.
- Reduce the incidents of antisocial behaviour related to bonfires.
Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership said: “Properly organised and safely run approved bonfires are enjoyed by many people. The Bonfire Watch campaign is helping to keep people safe, reduce damage caused by bonfires and reduce antisocial behaviour. Removing illegal bonfires will help to decrease the chances of people being injured, property being damaged, reducing the likelihood of people getting involved in antisocial behaviour making the lives of others a misery.”
Local residents in South Ayrshire who see waste being gathered and built into a bonfire should contact the Council who will have it removed.
Fireworks give many people pleasure but can also be the cause of some horrific injuries. Strathclyde Police and Trading Standards Officers are jointly visiting premises selling fireworks in South Ayrshire to make sure that retailers are acting responsibly. Businesses have to follow strict guidelines about how they store the fireworks, how they display them and who they sell them to.
South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan said: “Every year many people are injured at bonfires or by fireworks that are let off in a reckless manner. One person injured is one person too many. I would urge everyone to enjoy themselves if they are attending an organised bonfire event, or a fireworks display, but remember, to be careful and stay safe. Also give a though for your pets and make sure that they are safe and secure, as the noise from fireworks can cause them to become very distressed.”
Representatives from the agencies involved in Bonfire Watch visited Morrisons supermarket in Ayr to see the type of fireworks that are on sale.
Superintendent John Hazlett of Strathclyde Police said: “Every year on the approach to Bonfire Night on November 5 there is an increased potential for serious injury to people and also damage to property caused by individuals acting irresponsibly and recklessly with fireworks and bonfires. There is also an increase in complaints from members of the public regarding annoyance caused by persons setting off fireworks which leads to increased demands on police resources. The Bonfire Watch initiative is an excellent example of partnership working and hopefully will go a long way to making sure that this years celebrations pass off as safely as possible.”
A Trading Standards spokesman said, "Trading Standards Officers, in conjunction with Strathclyde Police Officers, are inspecting premises and advising retailers on a comprehensive package of measures designed to ensure the safety of consumers. We will be ensuring the fireworks seller is licensed and that the storage conditions within the premises are safe. The permitted selling period for Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night is restricted to between 15th October and 10th November. Only fireworks which comply with the British Standard are permitted to be sold, and certain types of firework, such as bangers and air-bombs have been banned. Although the legal age of purchase is 18, we would remind retailers that they should ensure that proof of age is requested from anyone that appears to be under 21.Trading Standards will also crackdown on the underage sale of fireworks with a programme of test purchasing using young volunteers."