Emergency services and councils across the country are educating young people on the consequences of their actions ahead of this year’s events.
In Lancashire last year, hoax calls were made to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) claiming people were lying in the road with life-threatening injuries, all of which was untrue.
Upon arrival, emergency vehicles were targeted with fireworks, three of which had to be removed from the road, including an ambulance which could no longer attend to life threatening calls across the region.
Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up to visit school children, aged 11 onwards, to show them a video of last year’s events and warn them of the potentially dangerous impact of mishandling fireworks and the stress this puts on the emergency services.
Lancashire Constabulary’s Superintendent Andrea Barrow, Operations Manager for Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn, said: “This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.
“To those thinking of causing issues this year, the message is clear; we will be taking prompt action on the night and we will find you, and you will appear before the court. Don’t let a decision like this – which could have cost someone their life – dictate and limit the rest of your life.”
NWAS Operations Manager, Jason Eddings says: “This anti-social behaviour has had a lasting impact on my team members involved. Within their jobs, they dedicate themselves to attending to people who are in need at times of crisis – something they thought they were doing on this very night.
“Please think twice about taking part in unofficial and antisocial events around Bonfire Night, not only could you end up with a criminal record, but you could seriously injure those that are there for you in your time of need.”
Emergency services in Greater Manchester are also urging communities to help prevent attacks on emergency workers and anti-social behaviour during the upcoming Bonfire Night period.
According to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), last year 27 firefighters were attacked, police and firefighters received 940 hoax calls, and 1,318 fires were started deliberately.
GMFRS is joining forces with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in their “bang out of order” campaign.
They are warning that assaults, anti-social behaviour and arson are all “bang out of order” and offenders could risk being jailed or fined.
The campaign also encourages parents to have conversations with their children about their behaviour during the Bonfire Night period.
The campaign will be seen on social media, online, and outdoor digital advertisement displays in targeted areas of Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: “Please respect our firefighters, police officers and paramedics this Bonfire Night period – they put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and they should never be attacked. We want everyone to enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire Night period safely.”
GMFRS’s Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes, said: “I am urging members of the public to support the emergency services during this Halloween and Bonfire Night period.
“No one should be attacked for trying to keep you, your families, and your communities safe.
“Setting light to fires, throwing fireworks and making hoax calls can cost lives and keep our firefighters away from dealing with life-threatening incidents.
“These actions are bang out of order and will not be tolerated.”
Hackney is one of the many areas in the UK that has had to axe its annual Bonfire Night displays due to the cost of living crisis.
Due to these cancellations, councillors are taking steps to educate young people about the risks of buying their own fireworks.
Naomi, a Senior Youth Worker for Young Hackney said: “Staff speak with children and young people about firework safety every year in the lead up to fireworks night. Staff will continue these discussions, exploring the implications and consequences of dangerous use and the illegality of buying fireworks under the age of 18-years-old.
“If a young person arrives at our hub with fireworks, their parent or carer will be contacted and staff will discuss the implications with the young person and their parent or carer.”
The Drop’s firework safety tips:
- Only adults should light fireworks
- Stand well back
- Never go back to a lit firework
- Never put fireworks in your pocket
- Keep a bucket of water nearby if you are setting off fireworks in your garden
- Never use fireworks indoors
- Never throw fireworks
- Keep pets indoors
