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The days leading up to Halloween and bonfire night can be some of the busiest times of the year for all the emergency services.

Reports of rowdy behaviour increase and there is more than double the usual number of smaller or secondary fires that need to be attended by the fire brigade.

"Halloween and Bonfire Night should be a time for celebration but, unfortunately, for a mindless few, fireworks are tools for antisocial behaviour, to harass and intimidate others or to cause intentional damage", says Cllr. Steve O鈥機onnell

will be prosecuted

To raise awareness of safety, trading standards officers are also issuing a warning for residents to steer clear of fireworks which are sold from the back of vans or in local pubs and clubs.

Residents are being urged only to buy fireworks from licensed and registered retailers.听They are also being reminded that it is an offence for anyone to set off fireworks in a public place, and for anyone under 18 to buy fireworks or possess them in public.

To reinforce the message, trading standards officers say, they will conduct random inspections and test purchases throughout the borough.听

Shopkeepers who store fireworks incorrectly or sell to anyone underage will be prosecuted.

be safe

For those going to organized bonfire events however, the council is offering help to keep youngsters safe.

As part of the nationwide Child Safe campaign, Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District has arranged for free Child Safe wristbands to be given away across Croydon Town Centre in time for this year鈥檚 Guy Fawkes Night celebrations.

Parents are able to write their mobile number on the band. Should they become separated from their child, anyone finding the youngster knows immediately who to call so that they can be quickly re-united.

Free wristbands are available from Croydon Town Centre. They can be collected from Whitgift, Centrale and Central Croydon Library.