Image: Fireworks in Rotherham (credit: Lindsay Pantry)
South Yorkshire Police warn community against letting off fireworks in public after 150 firework-related incidents last Halloween and Bonfire night.
Councillor Lee Carlson is leading the ‘Dark Nights’ operation, which aims to educate the public around important safety advice.
He said: “Dark Nights’ is an annual campaign that runs a month prior to bonfire night, in an attempt to curb the injuries caused by mishandling of fireworks.
“Their mission is simple: to get the public to ‘be bright, be seen, be safe’.
“When you are out and about celebrating Halloween or watching the fireworks, we please ask that you are aware of your surroundings, especially where you children might be playing.
“There are a small majority of people that are intent on causing trouble. It is illegal to let off fireworks in a public place and could seriously harm innocent people that could be passing by.”
Last year, South Yorkshire Police saw over 150 firework-related incidents in the week prior to Halloween and Bonfire night.
The appeal also urged parents to discuss firework safety with their children.
PC Carlson said: “We are asking parents and guardians to please talk to children about the dangers of playing with fireworks and letting them off in public.
“Our officers are here to keep you safe, but we can only do so much.”
An NHS report published in 2021 found there were more than 100 hospital admissions of people injured by fireworks. Some 21 of the 116 admissions involved children aged 14 or under, with nine aged between one and four.
In Rotherham the caseload for young people is higher, with South Yorkshire Police estimating that half of firework incidents in the area involve children.
If you have any information about people letting off fireworks illegally, you can report it to South Yorkshire Police on 101 or through our online portal. Always call 999 in an emergency.
You can access the online portal here: www.southyorks.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/
0 Comments