SOUTH Yorkshire Police want to make children aware of the dangers of fireworks as Bonfire Night draws closer.
Officers want to make parents and children aware of the dangers of setting off fireworks after they received 82 calls relating to children in possession of fireworks in just under a week.
Silver Commander for dark nights, chief superintendent Sarah Poolman said: “We are already seeing an increase of incidents of anti-social behaviour involving children and fireworks.
“Fireworks are dangerous, they pose a risk to people’s safety and their property, as well as causing distress to many people living nearby.
“We know Halloween and Bonfire Night will be different this year for everyone, but anti-social use of fireworks is incredibly dangerous and frightening for victims and witnesses.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to this and I urge parents to support us in relaying this message.”
During the past week, SYP has received reports of young people throwing fireworks on buses, into people's gardens and at pedestrians.
Supt Poolman added: “This sort of behaviour is not only unacceptable and dangerous, these youths are also wasting valuable resources from police and the fire service.
“We have a limited amount of resources to respond to incidents. By helping us teach children that this is not acceptable, you will help us respond to those most in need and danger.”
