Three arrested after bonfire night disorder in Gorton brought swiftly to a safe conclusion by officers

Three males have been arrested by officers after local neighbourhood patrols disrupted and prevented further disorder on Vine Street in Gorton.

Police quickly responded to reports of a large group of young people lighting a fire on waste ground and throwing fireworks and missiles, causing disorder and damage on Vine Street in Gorton just after 4.15pm on Thursday 5 November.

Upon attending, fireworks were aimed at police officers and also colleagues from the fire service. Thankfully no injuries were sustained.

An investigation was immediately launched with three males aged between 16 and 18 arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder. They remain in custody for questioning, with further arrests to follow.

Superintendent Richard McNamara of GMP’s City of Manchester North District said: “As part of our planned operational response to Bonfire night, to safeguard communities, police patrols were quickly deployed to Vine Street within minutes of the report being made to us and the incident quickly dealt with and targeted arrests made to stop escalation.

“We know incidents like this will rightly cause concern to members of the local community and those people who enjoyed Bonfire Night safely – I want to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident, which was dealt with very quickly by local neighbourhood officers with assistance from officers from our Specialist Operations branch, who brought the incident to a safe conclusion. We have also worked alongside our partners in the area throughout the evening by deploying joint patrols with youth services and colleagues in the fire service.

“Thankfully, there were no reported injuries made to us and despite fireworks being aimed at our officers, I am also pleased to say that no officers were injured.

"It is shocking that we are seeing fireworks being used as a weapon towards emergency services as they try and keep our communities safe. 

"A thorough investigation is underway, and while we have made three arrests in connection with this incident, further arrests will follow. Investigating officers are pursuing several lines of enquiry that will ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice."

Anyone with any information, please come forwards and speak to us by contacting 101 quoting incident number 2294 of 5/11/24. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.