Officers tackle anti-social behaviour around Greater Manchester on Bonfire night

Our officers were out in force across Greater Manchester on bonfire night, proactively addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our communities.

A dedicated operation in collaboration with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and other key partners saw neighbourhood teams and officers from our Specialist Operations Branch, deployed to ASB hotspot areas over the period. 

The aim of the operation each year is to enhance community safety, address incidents of ASB head on, and conduct high-visibility, targeted patrols, and we are pleased to say that most across GM were able to enjoy their celebrations without issue.

On bonfire night - officers responded to 507 calls for service around ASB, of which 203 were firework related - in comparison to the same day last month (5 October 2024), we were called out to 363 ASB incidents with just 10 of those jobs being firework related.

11 arrests were made on the night for a number of offences, ranging from violent disorder to drugs and possession of a bladed article.

One incident involved us being called to disorder on Vine Street, Gorton, where a large group - made up of around 30 youths - had reportedly ignited a fire on a waste land and were throwing fireworks and projectiles at houses and vehicles, resulting in disruption and property damage.

On arrival, officers and police vehicles were targeted with fireworks as missiles. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained to our team or members of the public.

Three males aged between 16 and 18 were subsequently arrested, as local neighbourhood patrols disrupted and prevented further issues.

We continue to appeal for information in relation to this incident as enquiries continue.

Throughout the evening, we were also called to a similar incident on Cardinal Street in Cheetham Hill where a group of youths were suspected to be setting fireworks off in a local park, firing them at houses in the local area.

Upon our arrival, attention turned to our officers, who narrowly avoided serious injury after a firework exploded meters from them. We also assisted GMFRS in extinguishing a fire that saw a shed at a property on Cardinal Street set alight. A dispersal order was put into place and anyone loitering was dealt with by our Neighbourhood policing teams.  

Elsewhere across the force there were incidents in Bolton where our officers were called to a disturbance on Boardman Street where approximately 100 people were in attendance, with some throwing fireworks. A dispersal order was put into place and the incident came to an end shortly after.

In Oldham, a dispersal order was put into place and proactively policed in the town centre, after reports of fireworks being set off and thrown.

Superintendent John Paul Ruffle, Head of Prevention, and force lead for ASB said: “Every year we understand bonfire night can come with increased incidents of ASB, and we are always prepared to deal with those proactively.

“We know that ASB can have a significant impact on our communities, and those trying to enjoy the festivities lawfully. We have been working particularly hard with partners to address issues that have been raised to us by members of the public as quickly and robustly as possible.

“What we saw on bonfire night from a small number of individuals across the evening is completely unacceptable. We work tremendously hard to protect and serve those in our local communities and myself and my colleagues should not be going out to incidents having to deal with missiles being thrown at us.

“There are several ongoing investigation related to anti-social behaviour incidents that occurred on Bonfire night, and those involved in incidents of disorder can expect a knock at the door over the coming days.

“We are committed to tackling ASB year-round, to ensure that our communities feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods.”