COMMUNITY leaders, emergency services and Bradford Council have called on people to be safe and not to put anyone at risk over the Bonfire Night weekend.

Bonfire Night takes places this Sunday, but there will be a number of organised events taking place across Bradford all weekend.

Sofia Buncy, national co-ordinator at the Khidmat Community Centre in Bradford, said: “We have to make sure that one-off firework incidents don’t define experiences of Bonfire Night.

“We all have fond memories as children of Bonfire Night as children such as sparklers, fireworks and toffee apples.

“There are regulations of fireworks such as restricting access to underage children.

“Things that give rise to mischief are a slight concern.

“People can be mischievous, but they need to understand how to be safe and not to put anybody at risk of harm.

“Things happen year on year, but we have to give a strong message that we don’t want to curtail anyone’s fun, just be mindful of the safety of others.

“Everybody should try their level best to make Bonfire Night an enjoyable event for all.

“There are organisations putting on a diverse array of events, so this will very much be a joint community effort.

 “We’d like the community to enjoy the Bonfire Night period safely.”

The news comes as a local resident has spoken about an arrest being made after fireworks were set off in Bradford city centre on Thursday.

“The daily fireworks battle in Bradford city centre has escalated again. I am a resident and scared to go out.

“I saw fireworks being let off on Tuesday night and then there was the arrest for the incident on Thursday night.

“There’s absolutely no stopping it. It’s happening near enough every day.

“On Tuesday night, I saw fireworks being let off on the corner of Bridge Street and Market Street, and then people ran away giggling. There’s no fear and they’re just not bothered.”

The resident called on Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Police to take stronger action to tackle the problem, particularly with Bonfire Night coming this weekend.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased the police have made an arrest for this criminal offence. It is clearly unacceptable that nuisance fireworks disturb people’s lives and we are doing everything we can to tackle the issue.

"A film has been produced which has been shared widely which calls for people to be considerate for their neighbours in the run up to Bonfire Night.

"The council has, for several years, been working to get tougher laws on the use of fireworks in the district, something which could only be made possible by changes to national legislation.

"We will continue to lobby the Government to make changes which would including reducing the noise levels of all categories of fireworks, stopping the sale of more powerful fireworks and licensing for individuals who sell fireworks.

"We will continue to push government to restrict fireworks and work with our partners in the police, fire service and trading standards to address the problem.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police at the scene of a dangerous Bonfire Night incident in Halifax last year.Police at the scene of a dangerous Bonfire Night incident in Halifax last year. (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Osman Khan, assistant chief constable for West Yorkshire Police and Gold Commander for this year’s Bonfire period in West Yorkshire, has warned people police will take action against those who commit anti-social behaviour, and he urged parents to find out where their children are going and what they will be doing. 

He said: “The Bonfire period is seen as a time of celebration but for vulnerable people it can feel frightening and unsafe, particularly during darker hours.

“It’s also a time of year where anti-social behaviour tends to increase.

"Last November, we saw young people involved in incidents across West Yorkshire, which involved fireworks and objects thrown at emergency service workers, and in some cases members of the public.

“It goes without saying that this kind of behaviour is not only dangerous but totally unacceptable, and positive action will be taken against those who are found to be involved.

“As we prepare for what is expected to be another busy time for the emergency services partnership in West Yorkshire, I’m asking for parents and carers to help us by taking the time to find out where their young people are going and what they are doing.

“Preventing crime and anti-social behaviour is how we keep our communities safe.

“Please do what you can to keep your young people safe.”