HUNDREDS of eye-catching posters from an Islington schoolgirl have launched the borough's campaign for safe fireworks use this year.<br>Islington Council is working closely with Islington Police, London Fire Brigade, Homes for Islington and businesses to make sure the Halloween/Bonfire Night season passes peacefully.<br>And 10-year-old Lily Markey, from William Tyndale Primary School, won a contest entered by almost 300 Islington children to design the campaign poster, which is being sent to schools, police teams, leisure centres, youth groups and others.<br>Action being taken in Islington between Halloween and Bonfire Night includes:<br><br>• Joint visits by Islington Council's Trading Standards officers and police to all shops in the borough selling fireworks and test purchases to make sure they are not sold to under-18s.<br>• Extra patrols and mobile units from Islington Police, Islington Council's Street Wardens and Park Guard team and HfI's Anti-Social Behaviour Out of Hours Service over the Halloween/Bonfire Night fireworks period.<br>• Safer Schools Police to work with the borough's schools to warn young people of the risks of misusing fireworks. <br>• Youth workers from Islington Council to target areas where there have been reports of fireworks misuse in the past.<br>• Briefings for businesses, caretakers and estate staff to help them prevent fireworks misuse and anti-social behaviour.<br><br>During last year's partnership campaign police reported a 32 per cent reduction in firework nuisance and anti-social behaviour calls compared with 2006.<br>Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, said: "We want everyone to have a good time and for children to have fun over half term.<br>"To build on last year's success when antisocial behaviour fell by a third - there'll be extra patrols from the council and police. <br>"We'll take a tough line on shops who sell fireworks illegally or people who misuse them so Halloween and Bonfire Night are enjoyed safely on Islington's estates, parks and streets."<br>Insp John Frost, of Islington Police's Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, said: "This year's activities build on the highly successful partnership firework initiative that has been developing over the past few years in Islington.<br>"Last year firework nuisance and anti-social behaviour calls went down by a third, and there was a 14 percent reduction in associated crime!<br>"Our local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are looking forward to working with our partners to build on this success for 2008."<br>London Fire Brigade's Borough Commander for Islington, Peter Cowup, said: "This is a busy time of year for firefighters, so we're pleased to work with our partners to reduce the antisocial behaviour that upsets local people and wastes the emergency services time. <br>"If Islington residents want to enjoy fireworks I'd advise them to visit an organised display, but if you do buy them yourself, please follow the firework code."<br>USEFUL NUMBERS: To report anti-social behaviour call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, for suspected underage sales call Trading Standards on 020 7527 4028 and for unsafe storage call Islington Police on 020 7704 1212.<br>Or to call the Homes for Islington Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline number for estate residents call 020 7527 7272.<br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009