POLICE will work with Thurrock Council to keep things in order this Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night.

On Halloween itself – Friday, 31 October – a Stay Safe operation is planned for the Tilbury area and including the council’s troubled families, anti-social behaviour housing teams and police officers.

This is part of the larger Operation Pumpkin operation which also involves the fire service and trading standards.

The housing department’s anti-social behaviour team is working with the housing enforcement team, housing fraud, its private housing team, and its CCTV team, to run joint patrols over the Halloween and Guy Fawkes weekend.

The work also includes public protection, trading standards and Essex Police and will provide a high-visibility police and council presence during the evenings and weekends, to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

It is also aimed at reassuring people and protecting those who may feel vulnerable or intimidated, as well as providing an immediate response to any anticipated or reported incidents.

The patrols will be in town centres across the borough, engaging with young people and children to ensure good behaviour.

Corner shops and off-licences are also being visited to give advice and trading standards have already been visiting all premises which are planning to sell fireworks.

Safety checks are being carried out as well as ensuring those selling fireworks understand their legal duties – they cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

This year Thurrock Council’s trading standards has asked all premises to sign up to the Challenge 25 policy of asking for proof of identy should someone look 25 or under. The checking of premises will continue to inspect firework-selling premises until Monday, 10 November – the firework selling period.

The team is also planning underage sales test purchasing during this time.

Please report all anti-social behaviour to Essex Police on 101, enabling patrols to target hot-spot areas. In case of an emergency always dial 999.

To report concerns about under-age sales of alcohol, fireworks and other age-restricted goods, call 03454 040506.