Police in Leeds are seeking new powers to clamp down on the misuse of fireworks after six officers were injured in a brutal attack last year.
A total of 10 people were arrested in connection to the Bonfire Night chaos in Banstead Park, Harehills, in 2019, which saw eyewitnesses describe the scene as being like a “horror film” after bins were torched and fireworks were aimed at cars and the police.
Officers in riot gear had to attend the scene to try to bring the situation under control.
In a bid to prevent similar scenes from happening again, West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council are attempting to bring in an injunction to stop crowds gathering a lighting fireworks in public spaces across the city.
If it is approved, the injunction will ban groups of more than three people from entering any public place in Leeds to light fireworks or any other explosives.
It will also prevent people setting fire on property they don’t own and entering or attempting to enter Banstead Park, Pudsey Park and Alexandra Park in Burley from 6pm to 7am. The order will cease at 6pm on November 9 - four days after Bonfire Night.
Anyone found in breach of the rules runs the risk of being arrested.
There are a number of other stipulations as part of the proposed injunction and all of the following could result in an arrest:
- Using abusive words or gestures to, threatening or obstructing or interfering with in any way any emergency worker dealing with any firework-related incident within the Leeds metropolitan area
- Gathering or being in a group of 3 or more persons in any public place and using any firework or other explosive or pyrotechnic material within the Leeds Metropolitan area in an anti-social manner
- Erecting or attempting to erect any unauthorised barrier to any thoroughfare within the Leeds metropolitan district
- Setting fire to any property not belonging to yourself
Anyone who threatens, obstructs or interferes with any emergency service personnel, an NHS worker or an employee of Leeds City Council could be prosecuted under the new rules.
The anti-social use of fireworks or other explosive or pyrotechnic materials includes, but is not restricted, to the following activities:
- Directing a firework towards any person
- Directing a firework towards any animal
- Directing a firework towards any vehicle
- Directing a firework at any building or structure
- Using a firework so as to cause nuisance or annoyance to any resident of the Leeds metropolitan district (other than using fireworks on residential premises by the lawful occupier)
- Using a firework so that it causes alarm, harassment or distress to any person in a public place within the Leeds metropolitan district
If anyone wishes to support the application they should send an email to lasbt@leeds.gov.uk. Those in opposition to the application should email legal.services.enforcement@leeds.gov.uk.
