AS A token of appreciation for their work around this busy time of the year, firefighters in Bradford were handed a massive ‘Thank You’ card made by Bradford Council.

The card, signed by councillors and youth groups around the city, was created to show appreciation for the efforts put in by emergency services in and around Bonfire Night.

Bradford Council also passed a motion which praised all emergency service workers to acknowledge the efforts they make to keep people in the district safe in the run-up to Bonfire Night and throughout the year.

With anti-social behaviour spiking at this time of year due to Halloween, Mischief Night and Bonfire Night itself, Bradford Council staff have been working with emergency service staff to try and keep a lid on anti-social behaviour and prevent attacks on emergency service staff and vehicles.

Youth service workers have been spreading the message at youth clubs and on the streets that fireworks are highly dangerous if misused and anti-social behaviour involving fireworks is a serious crime.

They have been busy distributing leaflets and posters produced by the Council and by the fire service, hoping to ram home the lesson that misusing fireworks can result in a criminal record or life-changing injuries.

The card was handed over to fire service representatives at the Madni Mosque in Newton Street, West Bowling.

Bradford Council is also supporting the ‘Protect the Protectors’ campaign by MP Holly Lynch which is designed to protect emergency service workers and raise awareness of tougher sentences for those who attack them.

Coun Jabar said: “We know how hard these guys work over this period so it was great to be able to show how much that hard work is appreciated by the rest of us.

“We want them to know how much the community is behind the efforts they make and despite isolated outbreaks of anti-social behaviour the vast majority of young people in the community hold them in the highest regard.”

District Commander for Bradford Benjy Bush said: “It was really touching to receive such a show of support and it has certainly made us feel valued by the community.

“We hope that people will join us in our call for calm this bonfire period as we do not want to see any of our staff, who work so tirelessly, get injured. Let’s all enjoy the season sensibly.”