Merseyside Police don’t want a repeat of last years Mischief Night in Formby and issue safety advice
On Mischief Night last year in Formby, we saw an array of incidents (as seen below) including criminal damage, car turned upside down and even places set on fire! Make sure you know where your children are, you are responsible for them.
Merseyside Police is encouraging young people, families and businesses to play their part in keeping communities safe over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period and is warning anyone who commits incidents of anti-social behaviour to expect a swift response.
Extra officers will be out on the streets across Merseyside over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to ensure that people can enjoy the festivities in their area safely.
Officers are asking parents to help keep communities safe by taking responsibility for their children’s whereabouts and to be mindful of any neighbours who may be elderly or vulnerable and who might feel frightened or intimidated.
Shopkeepers are also being urged not to sell any items that can be misused to cause damage, such as eggs, flour and cans of shaving foam.
The force has been involved in a multi-agency operation to provide a whole range of activities across Merseyside, organise events and provide public reassurance.
Information about these events is available on the Merseyside Police
Don't Trick or Mistreat This Autumn
Chief Inspector Paddy Kelly, who is heading this year’s operation for Merseyside Police said: “This is always a fun time of year and we want to make sure that everyone can enjoy the organised events and activities safely.”
"Our message during this period is simple – anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone caught committing this type of offence will be dealt with firmly and robustly. No one should have to suffer being the victim of anti-social behaviour and I would like to reassure everyone that there will be extra high-visibility patrols during this time.”
"We know the vast majority of young people have respect for other people and their property but we know the behaviour of some can go beyond fun.”
"I would urge those young people who may be considering behaving in an unacceptable way to think about what you are doing and how you may make other people feel. How would you feel if a member of your own family was too frightened to leave their own home or walk down the street? Under no circumstances is it ok to throw things at people or their homes, commit criminal damage or abuse or intimidate people.”
“We consider the support of parents and guardians vital at this time of year. Together, we can minimise the risk by not letting children hang around the streets with nowhere to go and know who they are with and what they are doing, especially in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.”
“Damage caused by used by Halloween ‘tricks’, such as throwing eggs and flour, or any objects at windows, doors, cars and people is a criminal offence and it is also illegal for those under the age of 18 to buy, carry, or use fireworks. Under the Explosives Act of 1875 it is also illegal to let off or throw a firework in a public place.”
“Anyone involved in criminal behaviour could be arrested and receive a fine, a criminal record or even jail time. If your child is under 16 then you will be liable for payment of any fine.”
“By taking some simple steps it could prevent that knock on their door from a police officer informing them that their child has been arrested or, worse still, has been involved in a serious accident.”
Michael Buratti, Arson Team Manager for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said: “We would like everyone to enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire period as safely as possible. Organised events are the best way to watch and enjoy fireworks and bonfires with your family and friends as they provide a safe environment.”
“Deliberately started fires on the run up to bonfire night are a huge drain on already overstretched Fire Service resources. Attending such fires may delay our response to a life threatening incident.”
“We would urge people on the run-up to bonfire night to report any build-up of combustible materials that could be used for deliberate fires by calling 0800 731 5958 or via our Facebook and Twitter pages.”
“Last year, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended 80 wheelie bin fires over the bonfire period. We would advise that if you have a wheelie bin, to store it out of sight so it cannot be stolen and set alight. If your bin is stolen, you may have to pay for a replacement.”
To report a crime, always contact 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can call 101, contact @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK.
Look at last years report on Mischief Night:
Mischief Night in Formby was even worse than originally thought as more acts of criminal damage come to light.
On Lonsdale Road, youths actually turned a car over onto its side in the middle of the road and also another vehicle had its windows smashed in on the same road.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Merseyside Police is appealing for information after a parked car was turned onto its side in Formby on Monday, 30 October."
"A report was received at about 10.35pm that a group of youths had turned the blue Vauxhall Corsa on its side at around 10.20pm."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 0517277197 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Merseyside Police also confirmed that officers attended reports of youths gathering, arson and criminal damage to a car in Formby on Monday 30th October, also known as Mischief Night in the Northwest. A spokesman from Merseyside Police said: "At around 5.30pm, a call was received about a group of youths on bikes in Duke Street. Patrols attended and found no trace of any youths. Further calls were received around 6.30pm of youths throwing unknown items towards vehicles, and possibly setting off firecrackers."
"A later report was also received of damage being caused to the wing mirror of a Hyundai Ioniq car. The incident was not witnessed but is under investigation."
"At 8.55pm, Merseyside Fire and Rescue service attended the report of a white transit van on fire in Dukes Way. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances."
"At around 11.05pm, a further call was received of damage being caused to the front windows of an outer pane of glass at a house on Dukes Way. The window was not smashed and reassurance was given to the occupant of the house."
We have had numerous reports of fireworks being thrown at cars and youths on the roundabout firing fireworks and throwing stones at cars by Formby Train Station. Dozens of houses being egged. Traffic cones being thrown at cars on Church Road and other roads in the area.
A group of Formby Children of school age were seen to be throwing bangers around the village on Mischief night. They threw one down the entry of Cafe D’Art causing the staff at the estate agents to come out. Bangers and firecrackers were also thrown into Formby Library.
Mischief Night - This was an incident on Brows Lane in Formby when a shop window was damaged
Local Policing Inspector Andy Dentith said: “We will not tolerate incidents of arson, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in Formby or anywhere in Sefton at any time of year and we will have a large number of officers in the area tonight and over the Bonfire Night period to support the local community. I want to make it clear that is not acceptable to commit criminal damage or abuse or intimidate people, and we reinforce this message through local schools and organisations. "The support of parents and guardians is vital at this time of year. They can minimise the risk by not letting children hang around the streets with nowhere to go and know who they are with and what they are doing, especially in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night. "By taking some simple steps it could prevent that knock on their door from a police officer informing them that their child has been arrested or, worse still, has been involved in a serious accident."
Station Manager Paul Kay, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Arson Reduction and Incident Investigation lead said:
“I would ask people to consider the whereabouts and activity of their children and for those that did this to think about the very serious consequences of their actions. We will continue to serve our community. Help us help you, please show respect to firefighters.” Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour is asked to call 101 or speak to local officers. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on 0800 555 111 or via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.
Mischief Night - This was the incident on Dukes Way, just off Duke Street when youths set a van on fire
Have a devilishly scary Halloween everyone 🎃