BONFIRE NIGHT FIREWORK THUGS ‘ROUNDED UP’
Cops vow to tackle trouble amid residents’ fears
POLICE have pledged there will be no repeat of last Bonfire Night’s terrifying scenes in Pollokshields.
They said a group of ringleaders are under close watch.
COPS have promised a firework crackdown in Pollokshields – but residents said there has already been an explosion of trouble.
Last year locals endured a night of hell as around 40 adults and young men in balaclavas set off industrial fireworks in the streets – even aiming them at police.
Over the past 12 months Pollokshields Community Council – following a heated public meeting – has been working with the authorities to launch a plan of action to stop trouble.
Last night Sergeant Cennydd Smith told a packed local meeting attended by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that cops had rounded up the Bonfire Night ringleaders.
A group of 10 has been through a programme of restorative justice in a bid to prevent a repeat of 2018’s terrifying scenes.
But residents said they need reassure that adult offenders will be tackled too.
Sargeant Cennydd Smith said: “On Monday we had a day with the group from last year, talking a lot about the concerns and impact of their behaviour with fireworks.
“A community member talked about the impact of that night on him and his family.
“Coincidentally, he is a pyrotechnics engineer so was able to go into great detail about the impact of fireworks.
“We know who they are and they know who we are.
“We hope it might even have an impact on their peers.”
Mr Smith told the meeting in Pollokshields Community Centre that officers have been visiting local schools.
Letters have gone out to parents asking them to “control the behaviour of their children”.
On November 5 the Violence Reduction Unit, road policing, an incident unit and CCTV mobile units will be in the area from 4pm to 2am.
A resident told the meeting that last year she witnessed cars reverse into her street before fireworks were sold from the boot.
Sgt Smith said road policing officers would be dealing with that element on the night.
He said: “We have checked the legislation around that and we have come up with something that will push it to its limits but I don’t want to give away too many details just yet.”
Last years officers had to retreat from firework throwing thugs as they did not have protective clothing.
One resident asked if this issue had been addressed. Sergeant Smith pledged that public disorder police officers would be on standby to take over in Pollokshields.
He said the method of authorising specialist officers had been “streamlined”.
Resident Liz Carruthers brought two fireworks to the meeting, having found them lying in the street.
One must be half buried in sand to make it safe while the other says spectators should
letters@ eveningtimes. co.uk or
on Facebook or Twitter be at least 25 metres away.
Ms Carruthers said: “I’m terrified when I go out to walk my dog at night.
“If I hear a rustle I’m thinking, ‘Am I going to be hit by a firework?’
“These types of fireworks can kill you.”
Ms Sturgeon repeated her call for a total ban on industrial fireworks being sold to the public and said she and Alison Thewliss MP, who also attended the meeting, have a “job of work” to do in pushing Westminster to legislate for a ban.
Ms Sturgeon also called for locals to report any antisocial behaviour to Police Scotland.
She said: “The importance of reporting intelligence cannot be stated enough.”