Police respond to more than 200 firework related incidents across Greater Manchester on Bonfire Night
Officers have made 11 arrests
Greater Manchester Police have made 11 arrests after attending more than 200 firework related incidents on Bonfire Night.
Officers were called to 507 antisocial behaviour incidents last night.
In comparison to the same day last month (5 October 2024), we were called out to 363 ASB incidents with just 10 of those jobs being firework related.
One incident involved police being called to disorder on Vine Street, Gorton, where a large group - made up of around 30 youths - had reportedly ignited a fire on a waste land and were throwing fireworks and projectiles at houses and vehicles, resulting in disruption and property damage.
On arrival, officers and police vehicles were targeted with fireworks as missiles. Thankfully, nobody was injured.
Three teenagers aged between 16 and 18 were subsequently arrested, as local neighbourhood patrols disrupted and prevented further issues.
Throughout the evening, officers were also called to a similar incident on Cardinal Street in Cheetham Hill where a group of youths were suspected to be setting fireworks off in a local park, firing them at houses in the local area.
When they got there, they narrowly avoided serious injury after a firework exploded meters from them.
Elsewhere across the force there were incidents in Bolton where officers were called to a disturbance on Boardman Street where approximately 100 people were in attendance, with some throwing fireworks. A dispersal order was put into place and the incident came to an end shortly after.
In Oldham, a dispersal order was put into place and proactively policed in the town centre, after reports of fireworks being set off and thrown.
Superintendent John Paul Ruffle, Head of Prevention, and force lead for ASB said:
“Every year we understand bonfire night can come with increased incidents of ASB, and we are always prepared to deal with those proactively.
“We know that ASB can have a significant impact on our communities, and those trying to enjoy the festivities lawfully. We have been working particularly hard with partners to address issues that have been raised to us by members of the public as quickly and robustly as possible.
“What we saw on bonfire night from a small number of individuals across the evening is completely unacceptable. We work tremendously hard to protect and serve those in our local communities and myself and my colleagues should not be going out to incidents having to deal with missiles being thrown at us.
“There are several ongoing investigation related to anti-social behaviour incidents that occurred on Bonfire night, and those involved in incidents of disorder can expect a knock at the door over the coming days.
“We are committed to tackling ASB year-round, to ensure that our communities feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods.”