Greater Manchester Police’s chief constable says he would ban fireworks “given half a chance”.
Stephen Watson said he has long held the view that “it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets killed” and that “cannot happen”.
GMP’s top cop was speaking as a guest on BBC Radio Manchester.
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After responding to a number of questions from listeners about the force’s performance, he took a call from a man concerned about upcoming Bonfire Night activities.
The caller, called Stephen, asked the chief “what’s going to be done about fireworks?’.
He said: “I know it’s coming up to Bonfire time but it’s horrendous where I live.
“We’re a sheltered accommodation with people over 60, some 70, and it’s unbelievable.
“There are 12 fireworks in a box that I believe are about £35 to buy and when they go off they’re like explosions.”
Host Mike Sweeney said he had previously heard callers speak about fireworks being used as a ‘quasi-weapon’. He asked the chief if he would ban fireworks..
“Given half a chance - yes I would,” Mr Watson said.
“We’ve had people almost pointing rockets at passing vehicles and buses and putting them into telephone kiosks and all the rest of it.
“This goes a long way away from kids knocking around a bonfire and letting off a few fireworks and having fun. It’s that of course that we want to preserve.
“This is something we’re very much alive to.
“We know the distress it causes to people.
“We work with our partners in the fire service, the local authorities really closely as well as Trading Standards to stop these things being flogged at the first instance to young people who shouldn’t have them.
“We’re being really proactive about stopping people and searching people where we have suspicions that they’re going to use these weapons inappropriately.
“Because I’ve taken the view for a long time that it is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed. And that cannot happen.”
