Harrow has the natural good fortune to celebrate a range of religious and other festivals at this time of year.It is so rewarding that our public have taken on board the crime prevention messages pumped out by our Police and brought down crime figures significantly for the same period last year. This is a joint achievement which we all can be genuinely proud of. NAVRATRI celebrations this year have been enormously successfull.We are confident that DIWALI will be the same,with your support.

As most folk probably know,DIWALI is the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, signifying the victory of good over evil.It is the start of the HINDU NEW YEAR and co-incides this year with GUY FAWKES!On top of it,we are facing the FIREFIGHTERS' STRIKE.

May I request ALL Harrovians to please be EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND RESPONSIBLE, as they go about having fun and games.I don't wish to be a kill-joy, but it really makes alot of sense to be mindful of the feelings of the rest of the community and ensure we do not go on burning fire-works ,which scare pets or disturb the elderly and infirm, late into the night.You could be at the receiving end, someday!Think that is YOUR pet or YOUR family member who is being inconvenienced and automatically shut down at a reasonable hour.

Fire-works tend to go on for many more weeks after Diwali these days,often through Christmas into the New Year.EXERCISING CONTROL VOLUNTARILY and RESPONSIBLY will make the coming months a fun time for our borough ,as we go from celebrating Eid to Diwali, then onto Hannukah and Christmas.Have fun, but spare a thought for others, while you are busy partying.

Please also note that this year,that the Metropolitan Police have publicised and requested that there is to be NO TRICK OR TREAT at HALLOWEEN.

It is a pity that this is no longer allowed,thanks to a number of irresponsible children who selfishly chose to abuse this Pagan festival and ended up bullying elderly or vulnerable people.So, please celebrate your Halloween privately and allow the rest of us to live in peace.

Our Hindu Community will be celebrating Diwali full-swing,on November 5.The management of the HPCCG wishes you all a VERY HAPPY DIWALI and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.Do pay heed to the brilliant tips our Police are giving about securing your property and person,as the darker nights have arrived.Stay safe and happy. Make sure you do not leave your oil lamps burning in your shrine or anywhere else unsupervised. It could cost you your home!

Since it is also GUY FAWKES on November 5,please would all our citizens act responsibly and make sure they follow the advice given about using Fire-works.Your safety is far more important than ANY celebration.Remember, FIRE KILLS!

This year we have an additional concern---the FIRE FIGHTERS' STRIKE, which has been arranged during this most sensitive period.We must be very wary of bonfires left unattended and fire-works not supervised.

We have NO LOCAL COVER FROM THE FIRE BRIGADE,during our busiest periods of celebration.So,it is IMPERATIVE that we all remain very alert and look out for any signs of fires breaking out.Please look out for your neighbours too.We have a shared responsibility to watch out for each other.

Now that you have heard all these warning bells,please feel free to HAVE a WONDERFUL TIME and CELEBRATE the DIVERSITY with which we Harrovians are blessed. The HARROW POLICE & COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE GROUP wishes you all much happiness and good health, as you celebrate your individual festivals. BE HAPPY, HAVE LOADS OF FUN,and STAY SAFE.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here