Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas Celebration

Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas Celebration

Dear Resident

As you live or work near a place of worship, we wanted to let you know our local plans for this weekend.

This year many of our Hindu and Sikh communities will be celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on Sunday 8 November.

During Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, you will see a visible increase in the number of people attending their place of worship. We will see an increase in the number of people and vehicles in the area.

West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council are working with places of worship to minimise any impact on our communities.

We have asked worshippers to park legally and safely, opting to walk to prayer where it is possible. We have also asked the congregations to be considerate of noise in the early hours of the morning and later hours at night.

We are a borough that embraces and supports all faiths, and we invite you to show your support for those celebrating this month. You can do this by demonstrating an increased level of tolerance and understanding around the peak periods when worshippers are in attendance.

Everyone should be able to enjoy fireworks safely, whether at an organised display or in their back garden. During Diwali, the law states that fireworks can be set off 7am to 1am the following day.

If you see any one misusing firework, setting them off in a public place or in the highway, or acting antisocially let us know by calling 101. In an emergency, always call 999.

The misuse of firework is not only dangerous, but also illegal and can lead to fines, arrest and criminal charges.

The safety of the public is our top priority.