THE sale of fireworks needs to be restricted as the time around Bonfire Night has become \u201clike a war zone\u201d.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent made the comments after a lit firework was thrown into a police car in Grimesthorpe, Sheffield, on 31 October.<\/p>\n
The firework exploded, but thankfully the officers escaped uninjured, and only minor damage was done to the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cEvery year in Sheffield that I\u2019ve worked as a police officer, Bonfire Night has been like a war zone. I have been targeted numerous times myself, and there now has to be some kind of review into the sale of fireworks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be some kind of either licensing or a permit. This cannot carry on because it is getting worse and it is honestly only a matter of time before someone gets killed or seriously injured.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve pointed out that pop-up fireworks shops appeared every year and they needed \u201cincreased regulation\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cEveryone loves fireworks. But there should be some control measures to put off the casual sale of them. Certainly in our area in Sheffield it\u2019s absolutely horrific every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
There were also reports from across the country of fireworks being launched at officers and firefighters. In Manchester, a firework hit a police officer in the head and left him with life-changing injuries to his ear.<\/p>\n
PFEW Chairman John Apter has called on the Government for an urgent review into the sale of fireworks.<\/p>\n