While festivities will look very different this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, with organised displays cancelled and restrictions currently banning the number of people congregating, our annual Autumn Nights campaign work continues again to help keep residents safe this year.
The safety of our residents continues to be our top priority, which is why we are working with community safety partners, the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) to urge our communities to do their bit this autumn, as the Halloween and Bonfire season gets underway.
Halloween and Bonfire night, and the days running up to them are traditionally some of the busiest nights of the year for our anti-social behaviour team, Police, LFB and other agencies.
To help prevent anti-social behaviour and the misuse of fireworks across our estates, we are:
- putting up posters in hotspots with advice and information
- increasing highly visible estate inspections, some with Police to search for weapons and potential fire hazards
- working with youth, community, and residents’ groups
- providing Police with temporary access to CCTV
- warning some youth and reminding adults the strong tenancy enforcement measures we may take if residents choose to do the wrong thing
To keep our estates safe, we ask you to take extra care this autumn and take note of the following advice:
- Fireworks must not be stored/used in communal areas or in your home. This is a condition of your tenancy or lease agreement
- Please remove any personal items from communal areas and balconies which could be used to start fires by others
- Please do not have bonfires anywhere, either in your home or on the estate
- It is illegal to let fireworks off in the street or a public place
- Selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 years is illegal. Anyone aged under 18 may not possess a firework in a public place.
This Autumn Nights season, help us to keep your neighbourhood safe by reporting any incidents.
You can report anti-social behaviour in housing to us in confidence 24/7 via your MyWestminsterHousing
Or contact us on 0800 358 3783 or email [email protected]
To report misuse of fireworks, call the police on the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, or if you are in immediate danger, always call 999.
You can report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers by phone to 0800 555 111.
Find fireworks safety advice from London Fire Brigade.
Thank you for your help and enjoy safely Halloween and Bonfire night.
Published: 21 October 2020