Half term fun with operation BANG

As part of Operation BANG (Be A Nice Guy), a series of events have been organised by the Cardiff East Neighbourhood Management Team to engage young people in community activities in their area.

Halloween, as well as Guy Fawkes Night, is traditionally an extremely busy time for all agencies with youth annoyance and anti-social behaviour affecting the community. Partnership agencies including Cardiff Council, South Wales Police, 101, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Youth Inclusion Project, Sports Cardiff, Communities First and Cardiff Bus, are working hard to ensure the numbers of incidents over this time are reduced and residents feel safe in their homes.

By providing activities to engage young people at a local level, BANG hopes this will encourage communities to become involved in the Halloween celebrations but in a socially acceptable way which in turn contributes to the prevention of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. The activities have been specifically designed to provide those wishing to celebrate the opportunity to do so but in safe arenas which will not cause alarm and distress to others not wishing to partake; such as those who feel threatened by door-to-door knocking and trick or treating.

Events for young people will take place across Rumney, Llanrumney and St Mellons from October 27 to on October 31 to ensure there are plenty of treats for all and the numbers of tricks – cases of disturbances and disorder – are minimised for everyone.

Llanrumeny Youth Centre will host a number of events this half term including Football camps, music and Halloween workshops plus the Cardiff Devils will be stopping by for a special workshop. For further information contact 029 2077 8931

Rumney community centre will host the Launch of the Greenway spirit youth night on Tuesday 27th for further information contact 029 2077 9365.

St Mellons community education centre is in the mood for dancing on Tuesday 27 at 6pm will host a junior disco for those aged between 11 and 14 and on Wednesday 28th will host street dance classes. For further info contact 029 2077 8667

Caer Castell Youth centre will host their own Halloween fun including pumpkin carving on Friday 30 October, contact 029 2077 8910

St Mellons library is the venue for arts & crafts and an arson reduction workshops on Wednesday, 28th.

A fishing competition is being held at Peterstone lakes sponsored by Shimano Fishing and Gary Evans.

The Halloween festivities continue over at Eastern Leisure centre, when they host a special It’s A Knockout event and Halloween Party on 31 October, contact 029 2079 6616

Cllr Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said: “Now in it’s forth year Operation BANG continues to go from strength to strength, and I am delighted that once again, the scheme will offer a full programme of events this half term.”

“The project has helped to ensure Halloween and Bonfire night is still fun, but at the same time helping to ensure the community is free from anti-social behaviour”.

Operation BANG is a high profile South Wales-wide initiative which has been run in Cardiff for the last four years by Safer Capital (formerly ‘Cardiff Community Safety Partnership’). Those involved in the campaign are: South Wales Police, Cardiff Council, 101, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Trust Cardiff & the Vale and Cardiff Bus.