The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “T”) provides Members with the partnership response and community engagement activity which supported the operational approach to the planning in the run up to and during the bonfire period 2018.

Members are requested to consider how the Area Committee can work with the partners to improve community safety outcomes in the planning to the bonfire period 2019 and note Document “T”.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Rebecca Trueman – 01274 431364)

The Strategic Director, Place presented Document “T” which provided Members with the partnership response and community engagement activity which supported the operational approach to the planning in the run up to and during the bonfire period 2018.

The Chair acknowledged that ensuring fireworks were enjoyed responsibly was a difficult issue to tackle and noted that they could be purchased all year round.  He questioned what action could be taken to target the discount shops that sold them.  The Commissioner, Youth Provision, reported that test purchasing had been undertaken, however, the shops were not the issue and the major concern was the sale of fireworks via social media.  Members were informed that sales of fireworks from the back of vans and cars were an issue in the District, as young people could access them.  Fireworks sold in shops had some quality marks, but the others were not regulated.  The Neighbourhood Policing Inspector confirmed that extensive intelligence gathering had been undertaken and checks on ‘pop-up’ shops had been carried out.  The majority of shops worked within the law and he reiterated that the main issue was that of fireworks being sold on the street.  The Commissioner, Youth Provision, stated that cutting the supply of dangerous goods lessened the risk and it was crucial how the information was gathered.  It was noted that youth workers had worked five weekends prior to bonfire night in ‘hot spots’.  Work had been funded by the Safer Communities Team around fire safety and consistent messages had been circulated to young people.

The Chair stated that the Youth Service played a key part in dealing with this issue and questioned whether work had been carried out with the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.  The Neighbourhood Policing Inspector reported that the Fire Service was the lead agency and explained that representatives of the Council, Police and Fire Service had given presentations to schools that focussed on what would happen if criminal activity was undertaken on bonfire night.  The Chair then queried whether a central reporting website would be appropriate due to the number of different bodies involved.  The Commissioner, Youth Provision, explained that the various layers of intelligence had been received by all involved and a central site would not be necessary.  Information was obtained from a variety of sources, shared with all partners and used year on year.  Members noted that in order to be responsive as a Team, the key players were located together around bonfire night. 

In response to further questions, Members were informed that:

·         It was the first time that the legislation had been used to issue Community Protection Warnings against parents and it would be utilised again.

·         Comparisons of previous years would be available but were not detailed in the report.  A different approach had been taken this year and the figures may not be comparable.

·         An extension to the permitted hours of the use of fireworks was a licensing issue and there was a process for large events.  The Team was informed of organised events, however, they were concerned in relation to those that were not managed.

·         Faith establishments, schools and other different groups had been engaged with by community workers in order to ensure the message was broadcast. 

·         All age groups had been contacted

Resolved –

(1)       That the report be welcomed.

(2)       That the Committee and its officers work with partners to improve the community safety outcomes in the planning for the bonfire period 2019.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place