Calls for a ban on fireworks after vehicles were targeted
FIREWORKS were shot “from all angles” at parked cars as Halloween reportedly got out of hand in one Cardiff suburb.
People in Ely have called for a ban on the sale of fireworks following the reported disturbances which saw them going off “for hours”.
A video was posted on Facebook showing fireworks exploding dangerously close to houses and cars.
It was posted alongside the caption: “This is what we have to put up with on Halloween in my street. It’s now been hours and at one point there was more than this.”
A police vehicle can also be seen in the video, parked in the middle of the street during the incident.
A number of people have been reacting and commenting on the post, with many describing the incident as “ridiculous” and “dangerous”.
Others are also calling for the sale and use of fireworks to be banned in residential areas.
Commenting on the post, one user wrote: “There should be a rule that they can’t be sold until the 3rd Nov or something. It’s Halloween not Fireworks Night!”
Another wrote: “It’s getting beyond a joke now. I think they should defo [sic] stop selling them, and only displays available. Also my poor dog is scared of them and it’s gonna [sic] be like this now until probably end of Jan.”
One Facebook user also suggested a licence should be issued for the use of fireworks. They wrote: “Fireworks shouldn’t be on sale until the 1st November. Even then people should have a licence that they need to pay for and sign an agreement, not allowing any other use of them. If so a hefty fine on the spot and prison. Some idiots always have to spoil it.”
South Wales Police inspector Chris Peters, from Ely police station, said: “Unfortunately there will always be a small minority who use this time of the year as an excuse to cause trouble and we will not tolerate behaviour which causes distress to our community.
“We can sympathise with local residents as we, along with members of the public, had fireworks thrown in our direction on Tuesday night.
“It was just fortunate that no-one was hurt and no serious damage was caused. We are now making enquiries to identify those involved and will be revisiting retailers in relation to the sale of fireworks.
“The young people causing these problems are local so we remind shopkeepers of their responsibilities to help prevent fireworks getting into the wrong hands and urge parents to find out where their children are at night and what they are doing.
“The last thing we want is to be knocking on a parent’s door delivering bad news that their son or daughter has been hurt by a firework or arrested for causing an injury.”
He added that since October, officers have been visiting schools and shops to increase awareness.
Anyone with information is asked to call South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 425327.