Lee Brown, Senior Head of Prevention, Protection and Engagement at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “This time of year often brings a spike in incidents, and we want to remind residents that playing with fireworks, attacking our staff, and starting deliberate fires are all BANG out of order.
“Unfortunately, as a Brigade we have seen multiple incidents of violence towards our firefighters over the past five years during the Bonfire period.
“More recently in September this year crews responding to incidents across Hardwick, Eston and Dormanstown have been subjected to attacks. Shockingly our firefighters have been targeted with dangerous missiles such as fireworks and rocks which were thrown at both the firefighters and fire engines which could have resulted in serious life changing injuries.
“These attacks against our firefighters who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe are unacceptable. Earlier this year, one of our fire engines was taken out of service after being targeted by youths throwing bricks at its windscreen, meaning it couldn’t respond to emergencies. This kind of behaviour is not only dangerous but also puts lives at risk.”
Lee continued:
“By going to organised events, where safety measures are in place and trained professionals manage the fireworks, you can enjoy the celebrations while helping to reduce the number of callouts our crews face during this busy period.”
To help prevent accidents and incidents we are urging the public to:
- Use fireworks responsibly and follow the Firework Code
- Report illegal bonfires, deliberate fire setting, and anti-social behaviour to Firestoppers.
- Remove fuel sources like rubbish from your property, store bins securely, and report any instances of fly-tipping to your local council.
- Keeping our communities tidy is essential in preventing potential fire hazards.
Last year, statistics revealed 319 deliberate fires were recorded across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Redcar & Cleveland between 13th October and 10th November 2023. These deliberate fires are BANG out of order, draining vital resources and potentially leading to life-changing consequences for our communities.
We want everyone to safely enjoy celebrations such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Diwali, and we hope you’ll join us in keeping our community safe.
Visit www.firestoppersreport.co.uk to complete the simple online form or call 0800 169 5558. You will remain 100% anonymous. Always.
For more information on fireworks safety and to find out about local organised displays happening in your area visit our website.