POLICING OPERATION FOR BUSIEST WEEKEND OF YEAR HAILED A SUCCESS

MERSEYSIDE Police have told us that they saw a dramatic fall in the number of reported incidents over the Halloween weekend, despite it traditionally being one of the busiest times of the year for the Force.

Following a carefully planned operation by the police, the other emergency services and local councils, there were 800 fewer non-emergency calls received on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, 31 October 2009, compared to the same dates last year, that is a 32% reduction.

And emergency calls were down too. There were 1445 calls made to 999 across both dates, compared to 1528 in 2009 - a 5.4 per cent fall - and 97% of all calls made to the emergency services were answered within the required time, despite the increased volumes compared to other weekends.

Superintendent Julie Cooke, who is head of Merseyside Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, said she was pleased that the vast majority of people enjoyed the Halloween period safely and responsibly.

Supt Cooke, said:- "It is very encouraging to see a significant fall in the number of incidents compared to 2008, especially considering that Halloween fell on a weekend and at half-term this year. It says to me that not only did the work by the emergency services and our partner agencies in the run up to this weekend pay dividends, but also that the vast majority of young people embraced the idea that it is all about having fun, not misbehaviour. Schemes supported by the police like the free cinema tickets and community discos for young people proved to be incredibly popular and gave youngsters something fun but safe to do. And I am also encouraged by the fact that not a single one of the shops that had test purchase visits carried out, sold a single firework to anyone underage which says to me that the clear messages we got out there about people having a responsibility to their communities really hit home. Inevitably, on what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the emergency services, a small number tried to ruin it for the majority, but those that were caught doing so were robustly dealt with by the police. It was disappointing that the police still had to seize more than 1200 units of alcohol from young people who had either been sold it by adults or had it bought for them by adults who should know better but overall I think the operation has been a real success."

For the first time, Merseyside Police used social networking site Twitter to provide people with real-time updates on what the police were doing in their neighbourhood.

During the weekend the number of people following the Force on Twitter rose by 25%, while others logged to the Merseyside Police website for more detailed updates and information.

One user 'tweeted':- "No activity on Hallowe'en this year. Also noticed a lack of fireworks going off every night leading up to November 5 - usually have loads every night for a month before. Well done, so much better! I love being able to see what's on Twitter as well. Feel safer."

Another said:- "Excellent use of Twitter to keep the local community involved."

Supt Cooke added:- "It was very exciting for the police to use Twitter for the first time in this way. It was a bit of an experiment but it is important to always look at new ways of communicating with people and I'm pleased to say it looks like it went down really well with the Twitter community, who from the feedback, were reassured by what we were doing. I'm sure we will look at using it again."

What are your views? Email or newsroom today at news24@southportreporter.com.

"Remember , remember your garden wildlife when bonfire building this year!"

AS you gather your logs and leaves, give careful consideration to where you pile them as you could give garden birds and other wildlife a nasty surprise.

The wildlife charity is asking Guy Fawke’s night revellers to make sure their bonfires aren’t sited too close trees, shrubs, or nest boxes.

As well as being a good tip for safety purposes, it will help minimise any disturbance to wildlife.

Now the weather has changed, birds will be returning to gardens for food provided by plants and shrubs as well as the seed and leftovers we put out.

At night-time in particular they are likely to be roosting in trees and bushes. Although there is no evidence to suggest they suffer ill effects from bonfires and fireworks, holding displays too close to their shelters could disturb them.

The RSPB is also asking anyone planning a bonfire or fireworks display in their garden to avoid doing it too close to nest boxes.

Although the nesting period is over and young birds have all flown from nest boxes, many birds will be searching for suitable roosting sites for winter and could return to nest boxes for shelter from the cold.

RSPB Wildlife Adviser Ian Hayward says:- ”Thankfully, birds aren’t known to suffer any physical ill-effects from fireworks and bonfire displays but of course they would be unsettling if they took place right next to where birds roost. We’d ask everyone to consider wildlife when they decide where to build their bonfires and let off their fireworks, and if they know they have birds roosting, avoid that area. Many birds will return to the same roosting site year on year, so if you’re unsure, there’s a good chance if you saw some last year they will be back!”

As well as birds, the RSPB is reminding everyone that hedgehogs will be hibernating for the winter now too, and piles of logs and leaves are favourite spots.

The RSPB suggests carefully checking for any prickly residents by gently removing the top layer of leaves and twigs as hedgehogs will usually be buried right at the bottom.

It says if you do find one, try to find an alternative bonfire site, or carefully move the hedgehog to another similar shelter.

Ian Hayward says:- “A hedgehog’s favourite place to hibernate is a cosy pile of leaves or logs so bear this in mind if you’re planning to burn a pile that you’ve been creating for a while. And even if you’ve only been adding to it for a few days in the run up to bonfire night, be aware that a hedgehog could have crept in for its slumber very recently.”

And we can continue helping birds and other wildife via our bonfire celebrations even after the event.

The RSPB suggests leaving any unused logs, twigs or leaves piled up in a corner of the garden as a wildlife stack for a variety of wildlife, including hedgehogs, insects, frogs and toads.

Ian Hayward says:- “Log piles can act as shelter for all sorts of garden wildlife from amphibians and reptiles to insects and mammals.

Items that are hollow or have small holes and crevices to crawl into will be particularly welcome, so wood not burned on a bonfire will be ideal.”