Emergency services in Greater Manchester have warned the public against attacks on them as they deal with incidents over the Bonfire Night period 

Emergency services in Greater Manchester warn against attacks over Bonfire Night

The authority says bonfires pose a threat to life after being hijacked by organised gangs fly-tipping dangerous waste.

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07102021 - Katherine and Lara-Beau - Liverpool Echo

When the firework was set off in close proximity to the home, Lara-Beau went into “escape mode”.

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Bonfire Night helps break up the winter gloom but for forces veterans like Richard Smith the sudden flashes and bangs can trigger extreme anxiety responses. 

Richard, 44, a former sergeant with the Coldstream Guards, from Frodsham, is campaigning for publicly organised fireworks displays with the support of his MP Mike Amesbury.

Richard, who served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, says many ex-servicemen and women suffer with mental health problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder because of their experience on the battlefield.

Richard, who signed up for the Army at 17, said: “Service people go to places where you would never wish to go and experience things you would never wish to experience.

“Kids used throw fireworks at us in Northern Ireland and in Iraq I was mortared and shot at.”

A First Aid trainer for St John Ambulance, he added: “If I‘m walking down the street with my wife Caz when a firework goes off, I’m likely to grab her and pull her behind a fence for her protection. The adrenalin kicks in and my head goes somewhere else.”

Since leaving in 2013, the father-of-three has lost eight of his comrades to suicide due to mental health issues.

He added: “It’s not just Bonfire Night but any kind of celebrations can involve fireworks; house parties, religious festivals and New Year’s Eve. As a veteran, you’ve got to get your head around that and it’s the ones we don’t know about that really affect us.”  

Richard would like to see organised events held within an agreed time frame to take away the element of surprise so veterans are not upset by unexpected bangs in the street or garden displays.

A Scout Leader at 4th Frodsham (Overton) Scout Group, he also believes public events would bring the community together, reduce accidents and injuries, take pressure off the emergency services and limit the amount of stress for pets.

On Monday, MPs will consider a petition signed by 301,610 people that calls for the sale and use of fireworks to be limited to displays only, by introducing licensing via local authorities.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, who has long supported this aim, said: “Without being a killjoy we need to consider others and move more towards a system of organised celebrations.

“People tend to focus on the impact on pets and I have a dog myself. But as we approach Remembrance Sunday, let’s spare a thought for people like Richard, one of my constituents, who has served his country and actually his anxiety levels and health are affected by fireworks, which have become an all year-round phenomenon.”



Bonfire Night helps break up the winter gloom but for forces veterans like Richard Smith the sudden flashes and bangs can trigger extreme anxiety responses.

Ex-soldier warns of the impact of fireworks on Armed Forces veterans

While it's great to gather with friends and family, sometimes people can get hurt because they didn't take proper safety precautions.

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The RSPCA say an estimated 45% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear on Bonfire Night.

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Greater Manchester Police say it would 'simply be impossible' to make both events safe. 

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There are calls to ban private firework displays after a number of incidents across the UK, with people and pets being injured. 

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Emergency services have been called out to dozens of incidents over what's been called "mischief night" - including over 30 fires.



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Fire crews under 'attack' as they respond to hundreds of call outs 

Fire services across the North West are urging people to attend organised fireworks displays this Bonfire Night - after a busy weekend. 

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Firefighters have detonated a 17kg industrial firework that was handed in by a man who won it in a competition. 

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It's been a busy night for our region's firefighters, they responded to hundreds of calls as thousands enjoyed bonfire night.

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