A MAJOR crackdown to ensure residents enjoyed safer fireworks celebrations has been hailed as a success.
Pinch Point helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour calls to West Yorkshire Police by 34%.
Calls across Kirklees dropped in total by 125 from 364 to 239 between October 20 and November 10, compared to the same period last year.
A review of the multi-agency operation also found there were 457 fewer offences for damage across the district, amounting to a 21% reduction compared to last year.
Clr Khizar Iqbal, who chairs the Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Partnership, said: “The aim of this operation was to prevent a flare-up of crime and anti-social behaviour typically linked with that time of year.
“By working in partnership, our efforts paid off and made residents safer.”
Pinch Point was organised by Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Partnership and included West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Kirklees Council’s environmental and young people’s services, and housing organisations.
It involved working with retailers throughout Kirklees, removing rubbish and anything that could be used as a weapon from the streets, a higher police presence, and diversionary activities for young people.
Insp Ian Gayles, of Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Pinch Point has been a real success, resulting in 457 fewer victims of crime overall, and helped buck the seasonal crime trend.
“The late October to early November period is historically our busiest for both calls for service and a rise in incidents of damage.
“But the reduction in calls this year meant more officers patrolled hot spot areas and targeted persistent offenders.”
In some areas, for example Dewsbury Moor, incidents reported to the police fell from 11 last year to three this year amounting to a 72% reduction.
The campaign sought to prevent anti-social behaviour, fireworks misuse, and the ignition of rubbish risking fire, explosion and toxic fumes.
Action took place across the district as well as focussing on hot spots including Dalton, Huddersfield, Fieldhead, Birstall, Wilton Estate, Batley, and Dewsbury Moor, where the police and fire service have previously received more calls.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service calls-outs to most of the hotspot areas were low or dropped compared to last year.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards also carried out 21 joint inspections with neighbourhood policing teams, and 102 illegal or incorrectly marked fireworks were removed from sale in Kirklees. Agencies also removed litter and rubbish.
