Operation BANG Be A Nice Guy
Bridgend Police is gearing itself up for what has traditionally become the busiest time of year.
With celebrations for Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching a concerted effort is once again being undertaken by South Wales Police, in liaison with the Fire and Rescue Service, the Education Authority, Trading Standards and Retailers to reduce the number of incidents reported over this period.
Operating in line with ‘Operation Be A Nice Guy’, officers Force-wide will set about reassuring the communities of South Wales that everything possible is being done to ensure that the tricks and excitement of both evenings do not turn into anything more disturbing.
To minimise this distress each of the six BCUs has developed policing plans to help respond to the anticipated incidents and deal with calls from concerned residents.
In addition to having extra officers on duty dealing with calls of disorder and anti-social behaviour, School Liaison Officers will be visiting schools throughout the Borough over the coming weeks to raise awareness of antisocial behaviour, and discourage incidents of disorder by pointing out the distress caused to victims.
On Tuesday 23rd of October, Schools liason officers along with PCSOs will be visiting PorthcawlComprehensiveSchool, and on Thursday 15th October they will also be visiting ArchbishopMcGrathHigh School. During their morning assembly, staff and pupils will be clued up on key safety messages from both South Wales Police’s Community Safety Officers and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
A Halloween disco will be held at the lava Ignite club in Bridgend on the 30th of October from 6.30pm to 11pm. Teenagers aged 14-17 can attend, with the priority of the night to provide a safe venue for the youths to attend and have fun with their friends. Several other discos are being held in the Borough; please contact your local bobby to find out more in your area.
Sergeant William Williams, Communities and Partnerships said:
“Halloween and Bonfire Night is now one of our biggest events to police and is rapidly becoming a celebration lasting weeks. While this time can be fun for the majority, there are some people who will use these weeks as an excuse for unacceptable and often dangerous behaviour.
“Our efforts last year resulted in fewer complaints of anti social behaviour, however, I feel we cannot be complacent about the matter and once again ask for the support of our partners in raising the awareness of the problem of youth annoyance".
“There is a fine line between enjoying yourself with friends and your ‘fun’ impinging on others and I would urge anyone planning their celebrations to be mindful of their actions".
“Halloween and Bonfire Night should not provide an excuse for anyone to roam the streets harassing and victimising people and motorists. Such action could be considered as public disorder, which could amount to an offence".
“I would ask that this year people act responsibly and sensibly so as not to cause alarm and distress to members of the community and for everybody to have a safe and enjoyable time”.
Operation BANG, a South Wales Police Community Safety campaign to:
• Protect those who do not wish to be disturbed
• Protect unsupervised children
• Reduce the risk of trick or treat vandalism