Members of the Crookes community have expressed their outrage after people started setting off ‘dangerous’ fireworks at Bole Hills last night.
Every year, members of the crookes community gather in this spot to view fireworks being set off across the city, a safe distance from all the action.
Several firework-watchers were forced to leave early after other members of the public started setting off their own explosives, with no official warnings given.
Gemma, 30 from Crookes said: “I’ve lived in Sheffield all my life. I’ve gone to watch the fireworks at Bole Hills for 5 years, and we have never experienced what we have tonight.
“Normally it’s a lovely atmosphere, occasionally other families will bring sparklers but nothing more. Last night it was totally out of control, no safety. People were setting off fireworks in dangerous places.”
Gemma claims she tried to distance herself from the explosives, but didn’t know which route would be safe, as multiple fireworks were being set off around the grounds.
“We were about to walk towards the recreation ground and fireworks set off. People who were walking towards us had to quickly gather their little ones and go to the side for safety as it was so close to the path.
“I chose to go a different route as I was carrying my baby. I didn’t feel safe… I couldn’t see anything and wasn’t sure if another firework was going to go off.
“We then saw a man hold up a firework in his hand whilst it was going off. People lit a firework in the basketball ground which was just spinning about without being attached to anything.
“We decided to quickly go home as it was really irresponsible and we didn’t feel safe. We live very close to Bole Hills and someone has just set fireworks off in the middle of the street.”
South Yorkshire Police are aware of these incidents rising around this time of year. A statement issued by South Yorkshire Police in the lead up to bonfire night warned that Neighbourhood Policing teams would be patrolling.
In the statement, CI Lee Carlson who is leading the Dark Nights operation said: “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. We know fireworks displays are attractive, but they can also be dangerous when not handled correctly.
“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 hard innocent people that could be passing by.”
“During this time of year, our Force Control Rooms sees an increase in calls. We are please asking members of the public to be patient and use other ways available to them for reporting crime”.
Other members of the Crookes community have suggested fundraising to create an official fireworks display on Bole Hills, in the hopes that it brings the community together whilst deterring the dangerous effects.
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For more information about the law, firework safety, or help suffering from firework related PTSD- please follow the links below.
https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law
https://www.rospa.com/policy/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety
https://patient.info/news-and-features/managing-ptsd-during-fireworks-season