After 'mayhem' Bonfire Night, police are STILL dealing with fireworks

Days on from a Bonfire Night that descended into mayhem across Greater Manchester, police are still dealing with firework incidents. Officers were called out to more than 20 times the number of firework-related incidents this November 5 than last year.

Emergency services were pelted with fireworks and abuse, while homes were targeted and cars set alight. Incidents of disorder and danger were reported across Greater Manchester.

But while the dust has settled on a difficult Bonfire Night, police are still monitoring the region's streets for firework misuse. Officers in Oldham pursued four males on foot on Thursday night (November 7), before seizing £150 worth of fireworks.

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A GMP Oldham spokesman said: "Yesterday evening (Thursday) four males were found on Block Lane, Chadderton in possession of fireworks. Following an initial foot pursuit, £150 worth of fireworks were seized before they could cause any nuisance."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was called out to 270 fire-related incidents across Greater Manchester on Tuesday, while North West Fire Control handled 478 calls for the service on Bonfire Night, with both numbers up on 2023. The criminal actions of some people in the region have been widely condemned this week.

Superintendent John Paul Ruffle, head of prevention at GMP, said: "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 anti-social behaviour year-round, to ensure that our communities feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods.”