New Joint Operations Centre Tackles Fireworks Issues

A new joint operations centre is being deployed in Glasgow for Bonfire Night.

Officers from Glasgow City Council, Scottish Fire & Rescue and Police Scotland will be based in the council's hi-tech operations centre on November 4th and 5th to co-ordinate the joint response to any issues.

Police officers within the operations centre will link directly with Greater Glasgow division's Operation Moonbeam events room to co-ordinate the deployment of specially trained officers to support local Police, Fire and Community officers to keep people safe during this busy period.

The council's network of Public Space CCTV cameras will monitor the situation and our mobile CCTV van will also be deployed around the city to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

This is the first year that all the services involved in the bonfire/ fireworks response will be physically based together in the City Operations Centre. Registered social landlord, the Wheatley Group, will also be linked-in virtually to highlight any problems reported by their tenants.

In the last five years, around 60 people in Scotland were treated in hospital for firework related injuries and more often than not, it is children who are injured.

Bonfires can pose a risk to people and properties and it is an offence to build a fire in a public place which endangers another person or gives them reasonable cause for alarm or endangers property.

Council teams remove unauthorised unlit bonfires from public land. This is to minimise the risk of injuries, damage to surrounding properties and disturbances in communities.

Concerned residents can report unlit bonfires via the MyGlasgow app, on the council website or by calling 0141 287 9700. (Online will be quicker)

Councillor Elaine McSporran, Glasgow's Safety Champion, said: "We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night. This new joint operations centre will ensure a rapid, co-ordinated response to any bonfire / fireworks related incidents. In recent years, the partners have worked increasingly closely around November 5th and having the teams physically based together in the operations centre, with the oversight offered by the CCTV cameras, will enhance that partnership even further. I'm sure communities will benefit from this new strategy and urge residents to support all the services by reporting unlit bonfires or any they seem under construction ahead of the night."

Marc McGill is a Station Commander in Glasgow with Scottish Fire and Rescue.

He said: "Bonfire Night is one of the busiest times of the year for our crews. This new control room in Glasgow will enhance our partnership working to keep communities safe. We always recommend going to an organised event, wherever possible, and follow the Fireworks Code which is available on our website along with a list of events taking place across Scotland."

Temporary Chief Inspector Elaine Tomlinson of Police Scotland said: "Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Glasgow City Council cannot tackle anti-social behaviour and bonfire related disorder alone and we are confident that this multi-agency approach, aimed at not only responding successfully to reports of criminality but preventing them in the first place will ensure we collectively keep the people of Greater Glasgow safe.

"Any behaviour which puts our community at risk or endangers the safety of our officers will not be tolerated. The new aggravator for attacks on emergency services workers is a welcome addition to our existing legislation and ensures those responsible receive the severest punishment for their actions. Our collaborative approach to bonfire weekend will ensure those intent on causing criminality will be dealt with robustly for the safety and wellbeing of our communities."

• A free organised fireworks display will take place in Drumchapel Park on Saturday Nov 5th. It is part of Drumchapel and West Winterfest which will also feature live bands and comedy. TV and Radio presenter, Des Clarke of Heart Scotland, will lead the countdown to the fireworks at 6.55pm. The event was funded by partners including the council's local area partnerships. Please be aware that there will be some road closures in the area to enable the event to go ahead safely.
• Community Events Scotland is also hosting the Glasgow North East Fireworks Festival at Glasgow Fort on Saturday November 5th. The free event offers entertainment from 11am with fireworks at 7.30pm.