Treacle to tackle seasonal antisocial behaviour in Stockport

Police across Stockport are taking part in the annual Treacle campaign in the build up to, and during, the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

The campaign is designed to highlight the dangers and possible consequences of antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and the misuse of fireworks, and will again see officers working with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive and Transport for Greater Manchester.

As part of Treacle, police will be running high-visibility patrols in hotspots to reassure vulnerable people and deter potential troublemakers, and to combat underage drinking they will be confiscating alcohol, carrying out test purchasing at licensed premises and prosecuting adults who buy alcohol for young people.

In addition, checks will be conducted with trading standards to ensure that fireworks are being sold legally, and police are aiming to visit over 50 schools with fire officers to warn young people about the dangers of playing with fireworks, deliberately starting fires and making hoax calls to the emergency services.

Police are also reminding people that antisocial behaviour, like throwing flour and eggs, criminal damage, such as setting bins on fire, and misuse of fireworks will not be tolerated during the half-term holiday. Penalties could include a police visit, an £80 fine, arrest and a criminal record.

Civil penalties that could be enforced include acceptable behaviour contracts, antisocial behaviour orders, tenancy enforcement actions and evictions.

To help steer young people away from trouble, the Offerton community centre will be running some activities for them in the early evening of Halloween.

Treacle also seeks to ensure that safety information is easily available to the public, and this can be obtained from the dedicated website safe4autumn.com

The site includes details of what you should expect to see at a safe bonfire event, a ‘Trick or Treaters welcome / not welcome’ poster that can be downloaded, and links to council websites to find out what is happening locally. There are also details on how to enter a competition to win an iPad 2.

Inspector Steve Palmer of Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport Division said: “We’re not against people having fun and enjoying themselves during Halloween and Bonfire Night, but we are urging them to behave responsibly and respect others, as actions carry consequences.

“If behaviour gets out of hand and causes distress to anyone then we will take firm action, and I would remind people to report antisocial behaviour by calling police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, as we treat all incidents seriously.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Peter O’Reilly said: “As Bonfire Night approaches we want everyone to enjoy it safely and we are working with partners to make that happen – so there are Treacle teams in every area of Greater Manchester, consisting of firefighters, police officers and Trading Standards.

“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s fire protection officers will be visiting premises storing fireworks to check people are complying with regulations to help keep people safe.

“And firefighters and community safety teams are visiting schools across Greater Manchester to talk to children about the dangers of fireworks and encouraging them and their parents to go to organised bonfire events to ensure people have a safe and enjoyable bonfire season.”