There were scenes of mayhem on the streets of Greater Manchester on Bonfire Night - with a huge surge in shocking fireworks incidents across the region.
Flares were hurled towards emergency crews, cars and motorbikes set alight, fireworks launched at houses and cars and illegal bonfires started in a night of mayhem on Tuesday (November 5).
There were scenes of disorder in Gorton, as a large mob of teenagers pelted police with flares and set an illegal bonfire alight, also setting fire to a car. Residential streets were likened to a 'warzone'.
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Parts of Ashton-under-Lyne also came under attack, with residential streets around Millennium Green and Holy Trinity becoming covered in smoke as flares were lit up and launched at homes.
In Salford, a car 'exploded' and became engulfed in flames. Liverpool Street was taped off before fire service crews and police were the target of further attacks, with fireworks similarly hurled towards them.
Throughout Tuesday evening, officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to 507 anti-social behaviour incidents. Of those, 203 were firework related.
This is a mammoth increase of over 1,900 per cent on the same evening last year - with just ten fireworks incidents reported to police and a total of 363 incidents across the region.
In total, eleven arrests were made for a number of offences including violent disorder, to drugs offences and possession of a weapon.
Lawless scenes had first on Vine Street, between Gorton and Abbey Hey, shortly after 4pm. A large mob of teenagers were pelting emergency crews with fireworks. An illegal bonfire was also started, and a car set alight.
Three males aged between 16 and 18 were subsequently arrested for violent disorder. Investigations remain ongoing into the incident.
Police were also called to a similar incident on Cardinal Street in Cheetham Hill where a group of youths were suspected to be setting fireworks off in a local park, firing them at houses in the local area.
Fireworks were again exploding at the feet of emergency crews as they came under attack from a group, prompting a dispersal order to be put in place.
Officers were called to a disturbance on on Boardman Street in Bolton, where approximately 100 people were in attendance, with some throwing fireworks in the street. There were similar scenes in Oldham town centre.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said crews were called to 270 fire-related incidents across Greater Manchester on Tuesday. And, the North West Fire Control (NWFC), who take calls for the service, handled 478 calls on Bonfire Night.
Both figures are up on 2023, when 277 calls were received and fire crews were mobilised to 178 incidents.
Superintendent John Paul Ruffle, Head of Prevention, and force lead for ASB said: “Every year we understand bonfire night can come with increased incidents of ASB, and we are always prepared to deal with those proactively.
“We know that ASB can have a significant impact on our communities, and those trying to enjoy the festivities lawfully. We have been working particularly hard with partners to address issues that have been raised to us by members of the public as quickly and robustly as possible.
“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 ASB year-round, to ensure that our communities feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods.”
Sarah Nattrass, GMFRS’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “I saw firsthand the tireless work our crews carried out over Bonfire Night. They worked incredibly hard to deal with fires in often tough conditions.
“It is regrettable to see once again our crews just trying to do their jobs be targeted by anti-social behaviour, risking causing serious injuries to our firefighters and our emergency service partners.
“However, it is only a very small number who engage in this abhorrent behaviour, and I would like to thank the vast majority of residents who take part in Bonfire Night safely and engage positively with our firefighters if needed.”
