Halloween and Bonfire Night

Halloween and Bonfire Night

As Halloween and Bonfire Night approach, South Wales Police's annual Operation Bang campaign is once again reminding residents to enjoy the festivities responsibly and help keep our communities safe.

The Halloween and Guy Fawkes period is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for emergency services, with an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, reckless use of fireworks, criminal damage, and nuisance incidents involving eggs and flour. While the vast majority of young people celebrate responsibly, a small minority can cause significant disruption to local communities.

Trick-or-Treating

Halloween should be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Please remember to:

Only visit homes displaying Halloween decorations or those that have clearly welcomed trick-or-treaters.

Respect residents who have displayed a "No Trick or Treat" poster and avoid knocking on their doors.

Ensure younger children are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Older children should stay together in groups, plan their route in advance and agree a time to return home.

Wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a torch to remain visible in the darker evenings.

Parents and guardians should check all sweets and treats before they are eaten, particularly if packaging appears damaged or opened.

Fireworks and Bonfire Safety

Fireworks can be enjoyed safely when used responsibly:

Be considerate of neighbours, especially those with pets, young children, or vulnerabilities.

Never throw fireworks or carry them in your pocket.

Keep sparklers away from children under five years of age.

Place used sparklers directly into a bucket of water after use.

Attend organised displays wherever possible.

Retailers across South Wales continue to work with police and partner agencies to help prevent the sale of fireworks, eggs and flour to groups of youths where concerns around anti-social behaviour exist.

Reporting Anti-Social Behaviour

Please help keep emergency lines free for those in genuine need by using the appropriate reporting method:

Report non-emergency incidents by:

Calling 101.

Using the South Wales Police Online Reporting Tool.

Contacting South Wales Police via Live Chat on their website.

🚨 Call 999 if:

Life is at risk.

A crime is in progress.

A person or property is in immediate danger.