A COMMUNITY is being thanked by fire chiefs for ensuring Bonfire Night passed safely.

Cleveland Fire Brigade attended 103 bonfire incidents from October 10 to November 5, a 41.5 per cent reduction on last year.

The success follows a concerted multi-agency approach involving the fire brigade, Cleveland Police, district councils and schools to make celebrations safe and stamping out illegal firework sales and bonfire building.

Mark Whelan, director of operations and community safety with the brigade, said: "It's great to know that all the hard work between ourselves and our partners has paid off, and I'd like to thank the police and community wardens, the four local authorities, schools and trading standards for their massive contribution in making our community safer during this year's fireworks season.

"I'd also like to thank them for helping make us safe, as there were no reported attacks on firefighters and we were able to get on with the job in hand.''

He added: "We're pleased to say that there were no major fires in our area and the strategy was very successful on the run up to Bonfire Night. November 5 is traditionally, and not unexpectedly, a difficult night for fire services, and we did have slightly more bonfire incidents than last year, but, overall, we have still dramatically reduced the numbers, which we attribute to partnership working and forward thinking.''

The brigade's bonfire strategy included an educational DVD, a children's poster competition and a leaflet drop.

Police stepped up patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour and local councils set up a bonfire removal scheme. Trading standards departments worked closely with the brigade to tackle illegal firework sales.