ELDERS from Cardiff’s Somali community were drafted in by police on Bonfire Night to prevent a repeat of the disorder that blighted the city on Halloween. Officers said despite a few incidents where fireworks were thrown, the initiative on Wednesday, which saw the elders speaking to youths about the importance of good behaviour, was a success.
The scheme was just one of a number of strategies employed by the South Wales force, the fire service and councils in the run-up to bonfire night and on the evening itself to reduce anti-social behaviour.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it dealt with 410 incidents on Wednesday night – including two dangerous bonfires in the Roath and Tremorfa areas of Cardiff where yobs pelted firefighters with stones – but calls were down by a third on last year.
None of the firefighters who came under attack were injured.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kevin Barry said most of the incidents involved fences, sheds and trees that had caught fire because fireworks had been set off too close to them. He believes the reduction in calls across South Wales was partially due to the safety awareness campaign Operation Bang (Be A Nice Guy) that was run in conjunction with the police and the non-emergency 101 number.
The fire service also worked with councils to dismantle 50 dangerous bonfires and to seize £35,000 worth of illegally imported and stored fireworks.
Jonathan Warne, 101 contact centre manager, said: “Due to this approach, reports of anti-social behaviour were significantly reduced, with 101 taking just over 550 calls for bonfire night, which is a fantastic result.”
Around 25 prominent members of Cardiff’s Somali community, many wearing fluorescent jackets, joined police officers in Butetown to speak to youngsters to stop a repeat of scenes at Halloween where groups of youths were involved in anti-social behaviour.
Community engagement officer Pc Vince Donovan said: “From a policing perspective, it was fantastic to see how their presence was influential in making the majority of the youths disperse from the area and we are grateful for how those young people responded.” He added: “This is something we will be looking to build on in the future.” Said Suleman, from the Somali Youth Association, said: “After the trouble caused during Halloween, the community realised that they had to show a visible presence on the street and speak to young people.
“The community felt that most of the trouble arose as a result of young people living outside the area coming into Butetown and exacerbating the situation.”
A large number of police officers were on patrol on Wednesday evening across the South Wales force area and Superintendent Simon Clarke said it was as busy as they had expected.
He said: “There has been a considerable amount of partnership work across the force to minimise crime and anti-social behaviour associated with this time of the year. “This has included diversionary tactics such as Blue Light Discos, the removal of bonfires, educating young people on the dangers of playing with fireworks and test purchase exercises to enforce fireworks age legislation.
“There are always a minority of individuals who use Bonfire Night as an opportunity to act in an irresponsible manner.
“However, the vast majority of people were able to enjoy a safe and peaceful bonfire night across the force area.”
by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo
abby.alford@mediawales.co.uk
Nov 7 2008
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