Have a safe and secure Bonfire Night
HOT on the heels of Halloween people across the country are now preparing to celebrate Bonfire Night and, once again, police are reminding them to keep themselves and their property safe.
Whether you are planning to host a fireworks party yourself, or attend an organised event, there are things you need to think about to make sure that you remember the fifth of November for all the right reasons.
Hosting a party can be fun, but you must make sure that you and your guests abide by the law and don't take any unnecessary risks.
It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18, and a responsible adult should always be in charge of lighting them with everyone else, especially children, keeping well back.
If you buy fireworks make sure that they comply to to BS7114.
It is normally illegal to set off fireworks after 11pm, though on Guy Fawkes night (November 5) there is an extension until midnight, so make sure you are not lighting up the sky after that.
It is also illegal to let off fireworks in a public place, so taking your bangers and rockets to the local park is not an option. Police have the power to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying fireworks, and if you are caught letting them off
you could be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) and have to pay an £80 fine. It's even worse if you are taken to court - you could end up with a fine of £5,000.
If it's a bigger space you are looking for head to one of the many organised fireworks displays across the force areas.
But before you go make sure you have left your home secure, just in case there are opportunist thieves banking on houses being empty and their activities being drowned out by the noise of fireworks.
Lock doors and windows on the house and cars, leave lights on, set the security alarm and don't advertise on social media that the whole family is out for the night.
And when you are at the event make sure you keep your personal property - phones, purses, wallets - out of sight and not an easy grab for pickpockets.
Ian King, Harm Reduction Officer/Design Out Crime officer for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said:
"Bonfire Night can be great fun for families and individuals alike, but we want to make sure everyone has a happy time and stays safe.
"As well as observing strict security measures around the use of fireworks there are things to consider to make sure that you and your family do not become victims of crime.
"In the excitement of the night it is easy to forget to lock a door or window, but getting home to find that you are a victim of burglary is best avoided. An extra five minutes checking security at home is worthwhile, as well as making sure that your personal property is secure, and this will ensure that you remember Bonfire Night for the right reasons."
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