POLICE and partner agencies in Peterborough have launched an operation to tackle anti-social behaviour involving alcohol, fireworks and Hallowe'en.

The campaign will run from today (October 24) until November 5 by the Safer Peterborough partnership, which includes police, the fire service, the Peterborough City Council and NHS Peterborough.

It will cover school half-term and will be similar to successful operations held in the city earlier this year and in the run-up to Bonfire Night last year.

A team of officers will patrol in each of the city's three sectors between 4pm and midnight on every day of the campaign.

They will concentrate on 'hot spot' areas where there have been previous problems with anti-social behaviour involving alcohol or fireworks.

Officers will confiscate alcohol from young people as well as issuing Section 27 banning orders. Peterborough police were among the first in the country to use new legislation under Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 last year.

The legislation allows police to ban people aged 16 and over from specific areas for up to 48 hours, if they believe that person's presence is going to result in drink-related disorder or crime.

This year's campaign, called Operation Brightspark, will also see police and city council officers carry out test purchasing of alcohol and fireworks, while fire officers will be visiting Peterborough schools to talk to pupils.

Inspector Matt Snow said: "This operation will see us working with other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with drinking, fireworks and Hallowe'en.

"Peterborough should be a place where people are able to enjoy themselves and feel safe, without having to worry about drunkeness or anti-social behaviour and officers will be using all the powers at their disposal to ensure this is the case.

"It is also important that when people celebrate and have fun on Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night, they do so in a safe way that doesn't intimidate others or damage anyone's property."

Steve Welby, community safety strategy manager for Peterborough City Council, said: "Operation Brightspark is being led by the Safer Peterborough Partnership to ensure that Guy Fawkes Night and Hallowe'en are safe and happy occasions for everyone.

"It is important to remember that although this time of year can be a fun time for a lot of people, for others it can be a frightening and intimidating time.

"We are not looking to spoil people's fun but simply asking them to consider those who are vulnerable and do not want to enter into the spirit. It is also important that people celebrate in a safe way and recognise the frightening impact they can have on many people and animals.

Posters have been produced for people to put up in their windows or doors requesting 'no trick or treating here'. They are available on the force website.

Others are being offered to traders stating that their shop is 'operating a restriction on sales of flour or eggs to young people'.