Police,fire service and council prepare strategy to crackdown on illegal bonfires.

Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Registered Social Landlords and the Council’s DGFirst and Trading Standards from the Council have joined forces to prepare a bonfire strategy aimed at reducing the number of bonfires on unauthorised sites and the illegal sale of fireworks.

Mike Aldersey, Community Safety Manager from the Fire and Rescue Service said “It is important that bonfire night is a safe and enjoyable time for all. Do follow the “Fireworks Code” and follow all manufacturers’ instructions. Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time. Keep pets indoors and warn neighbours if you intend to have a fireworks display. Members of the public are reminded that no materials intended for designated bonfire sites will be allowed to accumulate on or around these sites before Friday 28 October 2011. Any materials found before this date will be removed. Any bonfires on sites which are not designated will be removed. Regular checks on all areas are carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service, and other partnership agencies.

Police Constable Mike Jardine, Community Policing Unit said:

“Bonfire night is traditionally an event where families can gather and enjoy the festivities. We intend to facilitate this for the communities in Dumfries and Galloway and will take robust action against any individuals who commit offences and affect the enjoyment and safety of the evening.

We will also have a zero tolerance approach to any verbal or physical abuse against any of our partners working at the event.

Modern day fire engines are fitted with CCTV and this will be utilised to help identify anyone carrying out such acts.-

The building of any bonfire on non designated land should be reported to the Council (DG First). Where the property is either owned by the council or any other housing organisation any bonfires built should be reported and they will arrange removal of same.

The point of contact for such reports should be directed to Peter Clingan, at DGFirst Neighbourhood Services on 01387 271100.

Other Contact Numbers:

Fire and Rescue Service: 01387 252222

Police: 0845 6005701

DGFirst: 03033 333 000

Crimestoppers: 0800 555111

Any person wishing to hold a bonfire on an existing designated site, or wishing to apply for their site to be considered as a designated Bonfire Site, should do so by also contacting Peter Clingan on the previous number.

Listed below are the designated bonfires sites throughout the Nithsdale area, any other bonfire site will be removed.

The area between Cairnsmore Crescent and Carrick Road in Lochside has been recognised as an approved site for one supervised bonfire.

· Auldgirth (Accessed from the end of Ballochan Road)

· Castledykes (Accessed from sports field next to McLeod Pavillion off

Kingholm Road

· Georgetown (Rear of play park adjacent to Oakfield Drive)

· Cresswell and Larchfield (Access from Eastfield Road)

· Dunscore (Access through playing field on School Road)

· Kingholm (Top playing field adjacent to allotments)

· Troqueer (Field adjacent to West Riverside Drive)

· Janefield (Access through Janefield Gardens)

· Lochside (Access land adjacent to Glentrool Road)

· Lochside (Area between Cairnmore Cres and Carrick Road)

· Lincluden (Park) (Access behind Lincluden Community Centre)

· Lincluden (Poplar Road) (Access through play park of Poplar Road)

· Moniaive (Bottom end of Dunraggen Park access from A702)

· Nithside and Sandside (Common land bottom of Goldie Crescent)

· Noblehill and Parkhead (First pitch accessed through Greenbrae Loaning)

· Locharbriggs (Access left hand park through Community Centre)

· Kirkconnel and Kelloholm (Access land adjacent to Kingsway/Nivision Avenue)

· Parkgate (Playing Fields access from Beech Avenue)

· Penpont (Gladstone Park access from Grennen Road)

· Sanquhar (“Drying Greens” access from Queens Road)

· Terregles (Access off Kirkland Road)