The success of Blackburn’ s unique approach to tackling Bonfire Night hooliganism has attracted the attention of MSPs who plan to visit the town.
Villagers first took a stand against firework thugs in 2019 and tactics included a basketball tournament. Now a Holyrood committee wants to meet the community involved.
Effective to the success of the scheme was the input of villagers themselves in backing the work of the emergency services and council and community workers.
“Be Fearless” the leaflets produced by the Blackburn Bonfire Night Action Group (BBNAG) had urged villagers about reporting firework misuse.
And they were.
More than 30 separate reports from the village on Bonfire Night in 2019 helped douse the bad behaviour that marred previous years.
The action group, a partnership between the community, council and emergency services was set up after several years of Bonfire Night disturbances in the village. These included fireworks being thrown and illegal bonfires as well as individuals stockpiling and supplying fireworks to teens.
At the time councillors described the village as resembling a “war zone” on Bonfire Night.
The BBNAG began meeting early in 2019. Key to the success of the scheme was the confidence to report thuggish behaviour and a series of diversionary activities for youngsters in the village including a basketball tournament.
In the run up to the 2019 Bonfire Night both police and fire service officers did a lot of work with schools and community groups. The action group’s approach was modified at the start of the Covid pandemic with regular meetings moving online.
Now MSPs on Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee are to visit Blackburn.
Michelle Kirkbirght the community regeneration officer for the village told a meeting of the Whitburn and Blackburn local area committee MSPs are looking at new firework legislation.
In her report to the committee she said: “The Scottish Government Criminal Justice Committee is planning a visit to Blackburn on 14 March. They are looking to meet with members of the BBNAG to discuss the new Firework Legislation Bill.
“The Community Regeneration Officer is developing the agenda with the BBNAG. This will include a short-guided walk to previous hotspot areas along with explaining the partnership approach used to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area on bonfire night.”
