Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night campaign launched

Thames Valley Police will be spot testing for anyone illegally selling fireworks or alcohol to under 18s

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to make sure that everyone in West Berkshire has an enjoyable and safe Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.

Trading Standards will be carrying out a number of test purchases in West Berkshire in the lead up to both calendar events to make sure that fireworks and alcohol are not being sold to under 18s.

Manager for Trading Standards in West Berkshire, Shaun Murphy said: "Fireworks present a risk in their own right but this is doubled when alcohol is involved.

"Our aim in the next few weeks is to visit businesses that are newly licensed to sell fireworks to make sure they have practices in place to ensure they only sell fireworks to 18-year-olds and over.

"We will also be writing to all licensed businesses to remind them of their obligations. Firework compliance tends to be quite high but we did have a couple of test failures last year which resulted in a caution for those businesses."

West Berkshire Council is also launching a campaign for a safe Hallowe'en with 'Do not disturb' posters being distributed to schools, retailers and residents to try to discourage people from playing pranks on them.

Alex O'Conner, anti social behaviour co-ordinator for West Berkshire Council said: "The message this year is simply - have fun, be safe and respect others.

"We aren't saying that people should trick or treat but that people's wishes should be respected.

"The week before Hallowe'en is half term this year so we need to get the message out before the children go on half term."

The antisocial behaviour team in partnership with Thames Valley Police have also produced a safety video for trick or treaters on YouTube.

The video can be accessed by clinking on the link below.