A SAFETY campaign launched by police in St Helens in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night was "an unmitigated success" with disorder incidents reduced by 54 per cent over the fortnight before.

Operation Rocket was introduced to tackle the annual problems of youth disorder, damage and injury which are related to the period leading up to Bonfire Night. A spokesman stated that due to the extra patrols and intelligence-guided targeting, calls to the police regarding disorder had been greatly reduced.

The initiative was also helped by the partnership with Trading Standards whose help meant that police were able to target various traders and this action resulted in one retailer being reported for the sale of fireworks to under-age children.

Inspector John Harris from St Helens Police said: "It is all down to the general public that everything went so well. I would like to complement the local communities for their awareness and care during this period, making it one of the quieter Bonfire Nights for sometime."

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