As Diwali, Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night approach Ealing Council is taking measures to ensure celebrations are memorable for all the right reasons.

Every year crime and anti-social behaviour rises during the festival season. This year, Ealing Council, the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade will mount a campaign to cut crime and make the borough safer.

Council officers will be carrying out spot checks on shops to ensure fireworks are stored properly and meet British Safety Standards. Undercover test purchases will be made to catch out traders selling fireworks illegally to children.

It is an offence to set off fireworks:

• - after midnight on Guy Fawkes Night
• - after 1am on Diwali, New Years Eve and Chinese New Year
• - after 11pm any other day of the year

The Council’s party patrol will be out in force through out the festivities to ensure celebrations don’t get out of hand and to remind people not to break fireworks curfews.

Residents will be given postcards to display in their windows asking people to respect their wishes if they don’t want to be called on by trick or treaters.

Burglary rates often rise as the clocks go back and the nights draw in, so the Council is reminding people to protect their homes from opportunist burglars by using timer switches to turn lights when they go out.

The Council’s Community Safety Team will be holding events at locations across the borough to give people information about protecting their home and staying safe.

Victims of residential burglary will continue to be referred to the Council’s scheme and be offered free security improvements to secure their home. Vulnerable people are also being offered home visits to provide security advice and reassurance over this period.

Councillor Vlod Barchuk, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "This time of year can be intimidating for some residents because of a few irresponsible people."

"This campaign will help residents get advice and some practical suggestions for changes to be made to their homes to make them safer."

Community and Partnership Superintendent Ian Jenkins of Ealing Borough Police said: "There are a number of events planned over the next two months focussing on educating young people and helping vulnerable residents make their homes more secure."

"We will be taking enforcement action against anyone caught using the autumn celebrations as an opportunity to profit from selling dangerous or illegal goods and behaving in an anti-social manner."