A stark warning has been issued to communities after an increase in anti-social and criminal behaviour.
The ECHO previously reported on "lovely" communities that are being plagued with "chaos" as an increase in anti-social behaviour has seen fireworks being launched at people and cars. In Halewood alone, two dispersal orders were carried out this month in a bid to crack down on the reckless behaviour.
But as increasing complaints continue to be made, Knowsley Council has issued a stark warning as they urge "no more", in the run up to Bonfire Night and Halloween. Working in partnership, organisations and emergency services will target anti-social behaviour.
READ MORE: Murderer jailed for 18 years for killing boyfriend after night in the pub
What proactive measures will be taken?
Over 1,000 CCTV cameras will be monitored 24/7 through Knowsley's CCTV network, with direct links to Merseyside Police's control room. Any footage captured of criminal or anti-social incidents is shared with Merseyside Police and partners in order to identify offenders, the council confirmed.
The Crime and Communities Team will also conduct a series of school assemblies, explaining the consequences of anti-social behaviour. Letters have been issued to businesses encouraging them not to sell flour and eggs to anyone who could use them as a missile and for anti-social behaviour and public appeals have been issued asking people to report anyone that may be selling fireworks illegally.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: "Anti-social behaviour can have such a huge impact on our communities and be incredibly distressing for residents, particularly those who may live alone. Here in Knowsley, we’re determined to tackle this issue head on and show those people responsible that we won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour at this, or any other time of the year.
"We are working closely and collaboratively with our partners to ensure there is increased support and that we can address and respond to incidents quickly. Tackling this issue is a priority and together we are using our experience and resources to do everything we can to prevent it.
"What’s vitally important in us tackling this issue, is community intelligence. I urge our residents to share any information they may have about criminal and anti-social behaviour, the more we know, the more we can do to help. You can report directly to the police or anonymously to the Crime and Communities Team, whether it be about fireworks being sold illegally, bonfires being built near you or perhaps there are groups congregating and causing upset, whatever it is we want to know about it."
The Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioners Office has funded a series of events for young people across the borough that will take place during the Halloween and Bonfire period and Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health Team will ensure business understand their waste disposal responsibilities, to further tackle the behaviour.
Street Scene teams will also be on hand to remove fly-tipping that could be used to start fires. Superintendent Karl Baldwin added: "We work closely with our community safety partners throughout the year and will continue to do so during the Halloween and Bonfire period. It’s crucial that as a partnership we pool our resources and intelligence to prepare for the Halloween period and do all we can to mitigate for the kinds of behaviour we expect to see.
“We are an intelligence led organisation and need information from our communities to build a picture of activity and understand hotspot areas. Please don’t hesitate to report to us online or by phone, alternatively speak to your local Police Community Support Officer. We understand there may be a reluctance to report into the police directly, if this is the case, I urge you to speak to our partners and together we can address the issues you may be facing."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Murderer jailed for 18 years for killing boyfriend after night in the pub
Warning to homeowners as energy bills help cut in Jeremy Hunt's mini-budget U-turn
Woman's chilling text messages before she killed boyfriend
Man arrested on suspicion of drugs production after police search home
