Emergency services under fire as gangs launch fireworks at them

Emergency services say they came under attack from a homemade rocket launcher on bonfire night as gangs threw fireworks at them.

The fire crews were attacked in South Bristol on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Chris Wright, Watch Manager for Green Watch, Bedminster said, "It's incredibly disappointing to be under attack when we're just trying to do our job and keep the area safe and keep the residents safe. We thought we'd got past all that but it's still prevalent."

Harry Awaramenko, Group Manager for Avon Fire & Rescue Service, said:

“Fireworks can be extremely dangerous when used in this way. Thankfully this time none of the firefighters were harmed but this is a completely unacceptable act and one that we hope we don’t see again.”

The Bonfire Night attack came in the month of a change in the law.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill will double the maximum prison sentence for people convicted of attacking 999 or hospital staff.