Pupils from Bognor reminded to play safe on the fifth of November

Building on the success of Operation Sparkler last year, the Arun Crime and Disorder Partnership (CDRP) has run the campaign again this year to encourage people to enjoy events safely.

Figures over the past few years have shown a rise in the number of incidents, crimes and deliberate fires occurring in certain areas across the district at this time of year.

As a result, the CDRP has been educating teenagers and the wider community about behaving responsibly to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Leaflets and posters will be distributed across Arun and visits to schools and youth clubs will be made by CDRP members to make sure their message is heard.

In addition, the team also tackled issues surrounding halloween with 'No trick or treating' posters being handed out for vulnerable and elderly groups to display in their windows and visits were made to previously targeted locations to provide reassurance.

Joint agency nights with West Sussex Fire and Rescue and Sussex Police will also take place on key dates at identified hot-spot areas to provide safety information and assist with any problems.

Councillor Roger Elkins, Arun's cabinet member for community safety and member of the CDRP, said: "Hopefully through the distribution of the leaflets and by talking face-to-face with members of the community as we did last year, we can help ensure that everyone has a safe and happy experience this year."

Arun District Commander Dave Benham, of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service added its previous operations had been successful at reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We have been into several school assemblies to talk to Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils about behaviour around halloween and for bonfire night which we feel is an important age group to engage with.

"This is a fun time of year and we want people to enjoy themselves, however we would urge all revellers to think about other people, not just themselves. When it comes to bonfire night, the key message is for people to be safe and not to let off fireworks irresponsibly or do anything which could start a fire.

"We are working together as a partnership to promote safe and responsible actions and are also working with schools and community groups to spread the message. The fire service and police will both be providing extra staff for joint agency patrols across the period to support this so that everyone feels safe and well-informed."

Greg Ockwell, partnership support officer at West Sussex County Council, warned cautions and fixed penalty notices could be issued for misuse of fireworks, criminal damage and related offences.

He said: "In the West Sussex area we are looking to reduce fire-related anti-social behaviour, reduce incidents of criminal damage, give people a sense of safety in their own homes and increase public confidence in agencies working together to achieve a safer community."

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