Keeping Wirral safe during the Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire night period

25 October 2024
Close-up of a sparkler that is lit.

Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire Night are just around the corner, and if you celebrate, they are a great opportunity for communities to come together whether that’s for trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins or just simply to dress up.

Each year, the council, Wirral’s community groups and partners work to help keep communities safe and clean so that families and residents can enjoy themselves. 

As part of these efforts, the council’s teams will be on hand to support the fire service in the removal of flammable materials, and our trading standards teams will continue their work with local businesses around firework safety.

There’s a range of events across the borough at various council buildings – including libraries, the Floral Pavillion, leisure centres and family hubs – for families and young people to get involved with and celebrate this time of year in a positive way. 

Below you will find information about what activities are available – but also what to do if you need to report an issue to a local service to help keep everyone safe.

Child safety and activities for young people

If your child is planning to go out during this period, make sure you know where they are and how to get in touch with them. Now the evenings are getting darker, it’s more important than ever that they are still visible and take additional care around roads.

There are also a range of activities taking place that young people can get involved in including Halloween parties, themed activities at Family Hubs, Floral Pavillion and Wirral Libraries, free football sessions, watersport sessions …and not to mention a visit from Monty the Mersey Monster at the start of November.

For more information about the activities available – check out this news story on Wirral View

Picture of smiling children in halloween costumes trick or treating

Firework safety

Wirral’s Trading Standards team have been carrying out inspections at businesses selling fireworks to ensure they comply with their legal responsibilities on age restricted sales. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess or use fireworks in a public place.

If you have any concerns about retailers who are not licensed, shops not storing fireworks appropriately, selling fireworks that do not display appropriate safety marks or selling to anyone under 18, you can alert the team by email tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk or by calling 0808 223 1133.

 

Unauthorised bonfires and advice on bins

Any public outdoor bonfire events must have been considered by the council and its partners via the Wirral Event Safety Advisory Group (WESAG) so that advice, guidance and support have been provided to help keep everyone safe. Unauthorised fires leave the community exposed to safety risks and those who have organised them open to civil action and/or prosecution for offences such as criminal damage. 

Biffa, the council’s waste contractor, and teams across the council will be supporting Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) in removing any material that can be used for bonfires and fly-tipped waste. You can report any build-up of combustible material that could be used for deliberate fires via the MFRS website here.

Residents are advised to only put their bins out on collection day and to bring them back in as soon as they have been emptied.

 

How to report anti-social behaviour

You can report anti-social behaviour online via My Wirral. You can also call 0151 606 2020 or email neighbour.nuisance@wirral.gov.uk.

Lines are open 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. An answerphone service is provided out of hours and your call will be returned the following working day.

If you are a tenant of a registered housing provider, please contact them directly.

If reporting out of hours, you can also contact Wirral Community Patrol 24 hours a day to request attendance at an incident of anti-social behaviour on to 0151 666 5265. If you are a tenant of a registered housing provider, please contact them directly.

In an emergency, always dial 999.