Don’t clog up 999 – go one step further and dial 1000

Residents have been urged to dial the council’s 0208 379 1000 number this year if they are disturbed this fireworks season.

Councillor Terry Neville – cabinet member for environment said: “The council has been running its mobile patrol which as been successfully dealing with fireworks abuse for years now.

“Unfortunately some residents are still phoning 999 or calling police stations instead of calling the Council directly, which means we are unable to respond quickly and deal effectively with the problem.

“All residents have to do is go one number further and call our 1000 instead and our firework patrol will respond immediately.”

Enfield Council is expanding its firework patrol service – which includes police officers – this year to cover the busy Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night period.

It will run from 30 October to 9 November and will respond to any calls of reports of anti-social behaviour involving fireworks.

The team will also answer calls if residents hear fireworks being let off after the 11pm curfew, which covers all nights except Guy Fawkes Night, when it is an offence to let them off after midnight.

The firework patrol is operating as part of the Operation Lyon: partnership work between the Council and the Metropolitan Police aiming to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour issues during a period that normally sees a rise in such incidents.

Cllr Neville said the council is determined to take a tough line on any anti-social behaviour.

He said: “We are not killjoys in Enfield but we are determined to protect residents’ quality of life and safety.

“If anyone is caught fooling around with fireworks, letting them off in the street or after the curfew they will receive either an on the spot fine or possible prosecution.”

This document was last updated on 2008-10-21 15:18:08 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_133471