A Harrow councillor has urged people to think about their safety and remain respectful to others during autumn and winter.

Cllr Krishna Suresh, responsible for crime and community cohesion, said it is important to take extra care over the nest few months, with darker nights and colder weather in store.

He lent his support to the Metropolitan Police’s ‘Autumn Nights’ campaign, which was introduced to the new tri-borough area covering Harrow, Brent and Barnet.

It includes extra precautions and a reminder of community responsibilities during special events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali.

“The council wants to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time during these festivities,” Cllr Suresh said.

“Most young people behave sensibly and have fun. Anti-social behaviour ruins what could otherwise be a great night out, and it has damaging impacts on the community.

“Whether you’re a resident or visitor enjoying the festivities with your family and friends, please ensure that you celebrate safely.”

There have been concerns about the new tri-borough merger, which officially comes into effect next month, with people worried about its impact on their safety.

The Met, which has been hit by a series of government cuts to its service, assured people living in north-west London that their security remains a priority.

Inspector Tanya Sprunks, who manages the Harrow neighbourhoods, explained that it is important to think about extra safety measures during a time when crime can increase.

“Anti-social behaviour does increase at this time of the year and there have also been incidents of criminals using the darker nights to commit crimes such as burglary, theft and knife-related offences,” she said.

“Our advice is straight forward but sometimes forgotten when people are in a hurry – keep the lights on in your homes when you leave, make sure your doors are locked, keep valuables out of sight and be extra vigilant on the streets.”

She added that people celebrating Halloween should take care not to frighten vulnerable residents with costumes and decorations.

And the misuse of fireworks is “obviously” discouraged, she said.