Fire and police officers are taking hard hitting messages about safety into local schools in the next few weeks in a bid to stave off a repeat of the anti -social behaviour that marred bonfire night last November.
There were incidents of unwanted bonfires around the county along with firework throwing and fire crews facing intimidation.
At a recent meeting Blackburn was described as a “war zone”.
Police were also active tackling anti-social behaviour with fireworks in Livingston.
Station manager Lynne Gow told a meeting of the Community Safety Board that a message of “zero tolerance of attacks on emergency workers” was going out along with targeted visits to schools by fire service officers in the run up to bonfire night.
The fire service has been working with local police and council staff including youth project workers, Trading Standards and NETs staff.
In Blackburn, an action group has been meeting since April.
” It is recognised best practice for services to collaborate with each other to prevent or reduce incidents and increase the safety with communities in this period”, SM Gow said.
Other messages going out in communities in the next few weeks cover the dangers of unregulated bonfires and deliberate fire setting and anti social behaviour and the risks of injury from fireworks.
Fire officers will also work with Trading Standards providing safety advice for retailers to pass on to customers as well as inspecting premises.
