AS the local police inspector for Penarth and the Vale, I am looking ahead to a busy month leading up to Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night.

As we look towards Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night, our attention turns to the obvious concerns surrounding anti-social behaviour and the danger of fireworks.

While this time of year presents many opportunities for people to get together and have fun we must remember that not everyone celebrates Hallowe’en or Guy Fawkes Night.

During October our neighbourhood officers will be visiting schools and local shops to increase awareness among children, parents and shop workers about what they can do to ensure Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night are fun and not feared by the community.

We will be asking retailers not to sell eggs and flour to children, we will encourage young people to appreciate the serious side of the disruption associated with this time of the year.

Additional officers will be out and about during Hallowe’en and will target known anti-social behaviour hotspots.

As usual we will work closely with our partners organising events such as Hallowe’en discos and craft parties to keep children off the streets and provide a safe and fun environment.

On Guy Fawkes night we get calls about noise pollution, so we ask people to be considerate towards their neighbours.

It is also a good idea to let neighbours know before-hand so they can make any arrangements if they have children or pets.

The message is clear - while we want everyone to have fun but we will take action against anyone committing anti-social behaviour.

I want to remind people it is an offence to:

Buy fireworks, or possess them, in a public place and you are under 18

Let off fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am

Throw fireworks or any other objects in the street, at property or at people

Trespass on, or cause damage to other people’s property

I urge anyone who sees or knows of the misuse of fireworks to contact our non-emergency number 101.

In an emergency dial 999.