Shocking bodycam footage shows police officers dodging fireworks as they explode in the street.
In the footage, one firework ignites just inches away from an officer, who shouts ‘woah!’ after the near miss.
The attack took place on Bonfire Night in the Tinsley and Darnall areas of Sheffield.
Officers were on foot patrol and in police cars when they were pelted with lit fireworks along Raby Street and Staniforth Road.
One officer involved in other attacks in Yorkshire said: “I’ve had so many fireworks thrown at me. One exploded at my feet and had I not turned away quickly it could have very easily blinded me.”
A Sheffield resident took to Twitter after the incident, saying the area was ‘like a war zone’ and branded the attacks an ‘utter disgrace’.
Another resident said: “Kids as young as seven throwing fireworks at cars here in Sheffield, the sooner they are banned from public sale the better.”
The incident comes after .
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also fell victim to the attacks after being struck with fireworks and eggs as they tried to tackle a blaze.
During the attacks, officers were also responding to an arson attack at a home on Raby Street.
It is reported that a lit firework was shoved through a letterbox, leaving the family ‘shaken but unharmed’.
A petition to ban the sale of fireworks to the public has now gained over 300,000 signatures, meaning that the petition will now be put forward for debate in parliament.
Superintendent Delphine Waring said: “Behaviour like this can cause serious injuries and harm and will not be tolerated.
“Those individuals that engaged in this behaviour last night are the minority and do not represent the wider community.
“For the majority of people Bonfire night was an enjoyable evening, and I would like to thank those who took the time to stop and talk to our officers.
“To ensure a strong message is sent to offenders who commit this type of behaviour, we continue to seek information that can help us identify those involved and urge anyone that can help to call 101 quoting incident number 636 .”
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