Yorkshire emergency services respond to hundreds of Bonfire Night incidents as youths launch fireworks at officers

There were 260 emergency calls made to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as crews attended 234 Bonfire Night incidents by 10.30pm.

Firefighters responded to a number of anti-social behaviour incidents.

A taxi driver and a woman were injured as youths launched fireworks at cars in York Road, Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police received a call at 6.45pm to reports of youths throwing bricks, stones and fireworks at passing vehicles.

A woman sustained minor head injuries and a taxi driver was seriously injured following the attack.

In a separate incident, emergency services were called to Halton Moor as a gang of around 12 children threw fireworks at houses.

One house was being targeted after the children had been asked to leave.

Fireworks were thrown at the house and one was posted through the letter box, damaging the house.

Residents across Leeds were kept awake by firework displays overnight and a Leeds City Council bin was damaged beyond repair on Wellstone Rise, Swinnow, following a suspected arson incident.

In Sheffield, police were called to serious Bonfire Night disturbance across Darnall, Tinsley, Fir Vale and Firth Park.

Large crowds of young people had gathered, setting fire to wheelie bins and launching fireworks at cars and people - including officers and police vehicles.

In a statement issued last night, a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "Teenagers are believed to be responsible for setting fires in wheeled bins and throwing fireworks at cars and people, including our officers and police vehicles.

"This is not acceptable; our officers are on duty to keep you safe, this is not part of the job.

"If your child is currently out with friends, please consider where they may be and if they are acting safely.

"Under the national lockdown, gatherings are not permitted and this behaviour will not be tolerated."

West Yorkshire Police has put an injunction in place across Leeds prohibiting the anti-social use of fireworks.

The injunction, which came into force in October, allows police to take action against any individual or group that is found to be using fireworks in what officers consider an anti-social or threatening way.

Secured at Leeds County Court, the injunction means both preventative and proactive measures will be available to Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police for action to be taken.

It will be in place until November 30 and orders that those who do not obey regulations may be held in contempt of court and could face an arrest, imprisonment, fine or having their assets seized.

West Yorkshire Police tweeted: “There is a Leeds-wide injunction prohibiting the anti-social use of fireworks.

“Anyone who breaches this injunction could face arrest.

“We are on patrol and below are the fireworks we recently confiscated from a young person. Please be responsible with fireworks.”

When the injunction was issued, Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said: “We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour in our communities, which is why we took the decision with our partners at West Yorkshire Police to seek additional powers through the courts to help us tackle the deliberate and dangerous misuse of fireworks.

“I am delighted to say that the injunction has been granted, and in doing so will not only provide us with additional tools to stop this type of reckless behaviour, but also with the powers to take quick and positive action against those involved.”