Be a Good Guy - bin it, don't burn it!

An award winning campaign - that helps trigger cuts in anti-social behaviour during the run up to bonfire night - is back with a bang!

The Be the Good Guy Campaign is once again asking residents to report any build-ups of combustible waste and street bonfires, to the council's contact centre on 01744 676789.

Community Safety Partner agencies, including St.Helens Council, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MF&RS), Merseyside Police, Helena Partnerships, Riverside and others, will be working together to help keep St.Helens safe and clean over the bonfire period, by removing the source of illegal street bonfires and nuisance fires, with the help of St.Helens residents.

Street bonfires can be dangerous and unpredictable, and can easily spread to nearby fences, buildings and homes. They often fuel anti-social behaviour and fireworks misuse.

St.Helens Council's Trading Standards are also encouraging Good Guy retailers to come forward and limit their selling period of fireworks, to help cut down on noise pollution and fireworks misuse.

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Community Safety said: "No one is trying to be a killjoy, but street bonfires can be dangerous and unpredictable - and can often fuel anti-social behaviour and firework misuse.  We want residents to enjoy bonfire night safely, and are encouraging everyone to attend organised firework displays.

Watch Manager Ian Mullen, MF&RS Arson Reduction Co-ordinator, said: "Our key message this year is stay safe and have fun. We want to drive down deliberate, anti-social, nuisance fires during the bonfire period but we need help from people in the community to do this.

"Firefighters and our Prevention Team in St.Helens are engaging with young people and youth groups in the area, delivering bonfire safety messages. The firefighters and fire prevention advocates are also liaising with local shops and businesses to highlight the importance of refuse control and storage of wheelie bins. Wheelie bins should be stored away from windows and doors and should only be put out on the day of collection and removed as soon as possible after collection to a secure location."

Neil Fairhurst, Helena Partnerships Neighbourhood Manager said: "Through our continued involvement in Operation Good Guy we work closely with a range of valued partners to make sure our neighbourhoods, and in particularly vulnerable people living in our communities, stay safe each year."

The council's FREE organised 'Spark in the Park' firework display takes place on Thursday 5 November at Sherdley Park and promises to be a truly spectacular night.

Follow the link for more information about the Good Guy campaign