With the autumn festivities approaching, the Met has launched its seasonal crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour can have a severe impact on the lives of communities and this typically increases around the start of the autumn school holidays, Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Many people, including the elderly and vulnerable members of communities, can be left feeling anxious and worried at this time of year due to uninvited trick or treating, firework misuse and large crowds of people.
Superintendent Tania Coulson, leading the Autumn Nights operation, said: “We are here to ensure young people enjoy the festivities but remain safe in doing so.
“Our operations are not aimed at ruining the fun of this time of year but are in place to ensure those who are intent on committing crime and anti-social behaviour are dealt with accordingly.”
Anti-social behaviour incidents tend to increase around this time of year and when the nights draw in.
In 2017, the weekly average number of anti-social behaviour-related calls across the Met was 4,890. The number of these calls to police increased between Halloween and Bonfire Night, with 5,187 calls between 24 and 30 October 2017, and 6,991 calls between 31 October and 6 November 2017.
Autumn Nights will be supported by everyday policing activities to tackle crime related to anti-social behaviour. Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be involving the community in weapon sweeps, as well as being visible in areas associated with anti-social behaviour on your Wards.
They will be speaking to vulnerable residents and offering them crime prevention advice. Youth Engagement Officers will be working hand-in-hand with local partners and our licensing teams will work with premises to reduce rowdy disorderly behaviour.
