Partnership creates a safer Wellingborough

The initiative has involved a number of agencies working together to reduce the amount of bonfires started in open spaces and to reduce anti-social behaviour across the town, particular over the bonfire night period. The partnership's main focus area was the Queensway area, but other areas of the town have also benefited from the initiative.

The partnership is made up of Wellingborough Council, Northamptonshire County Council's fire and rescue service, Northants Police, Service 6, the probation service and a number of housing associations. The agencies worked together with members of the local community, including young people, on a number of projects leading up to and during this year's bonfire night.

The agencies coordinated additional patrols by frontline workers and supported local people to reduce the amount of rubbish in public areas, distribute information leaflets and encourage attendance at organised displays.

The initiative has seen a drastic reduction in the number of unauthorised fires which the emergency services were called to on 5 November 2010.  This year the fire and rescue service responded to just one unauthorised fire in an open space in the Queensway area. This is a significant reduction compared to the nine incidents which were dealt with in 2009 in the area. In addition Wellingborough had a significantly high number of bonfire night related incidents in 2009 compared to all other areas of the county, and these also reduced this year.

Unauthorised bonfires not only endanger people and property in the local area but also mean that the fire and rescue service and police are not available to attend real emergency or life threatening incidents.

Marie Rose District Liaison Officer with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The success of this initiative is a great example of how partnership working can bring about real results.

"Unauthorised bonfires lit in open spaces carry significant danger to members of the public and members of the emergency services.  By all agencies working together with people from the town, we have made a real difference to the local environment and reduced the risk of deliberate fires."

Sergeant Harley said: "We were not out looking to ruin everybody's fun, but to ensure everybody's safety. This year it appears everyone heeded our warnings around these bonfires, the number of incidents was dramatically reduced and the emergency services free to respond to serious incidents if needed. We intend to repeat this again next year."

Councillor Martin Griffiths who represents the Croyland Ward said: "This is an excellent example of the council working with the police and other authorities to help combat antisocial behaviour and reduce the potential for serious incidents and accidents at this time of year."