Pru Jupe, police commissioner candidate for Cumbria, has praised the work of the police and the public behaviour over the Halloween period.
The combination of half term, Halloween and bonfire night means this can be a difficult time for all the emergency services. However, over the years joint initiatives like Operation Roman Candle where the police, fire service and Cumbria County Council work together has resulted in a decrease of incidents since 2007. In 2011 there were 30 nuisance fires in Carlisle compared to over 70 in 2007 during the same two week period.
“This sort of partnership working really does bring positive results for all concerned,” said Pru, “and is exactly the sort of initiative I would be promoting as Cumbria’s police commissioner if elected.”
Barrow police reported a quiet night with few arrests suggesting the trend of falling crime during this period is continuing.
Pru said, “Various activities take place to further discourage crime, like police officers visiting schools the week before half term, the various councils putting on activities and events for people to enjoy and the official organised displays on bonfire night which are of excellent quality. The emergency services and council also work hard to remove any likely targets for arson such as abandoned sofas and bins.”
A good example of this multi-agency work took place recently on the Hallgarth estate in Kendal, where residents, charity right2work, PCSO Nicky Yates and councillor Rob Boden all worked to tidy the estate and remove any likely fire hazards.
Pru said, “This should be a time of year we can all enjoy but we all have to take responsibility for our behaviour and safety in order to make sure everyone can continue these traditional nights. We need to keep being innovative in the ways we prevent the tricks at Halloween becoming crimes or a nuisance to those who don’t want to be bothered by trick or treaters. For example Cumbria Police made available downloadable posters saying either ‘trick or treaters welcome’ or ‘no trick or treat’ I would continue this sort of innovation.”