Police extend powers to curb firework yobs
A POLICE crackdown on yobs running riot with fireworks will be extended.
A gang of troublemakers shot fireworks at homes, set wheelie bins and fence panels alight, and hurled abuse at residents.
Cops and firefighters who arrived at the scene on Northumberland Street in Brinnington at 8.20pm on Sunday were then pelted with ‘objects.’
In the aftermath, a dispersal order was placed on the area – but now cops are extending the order to cover the entirety of Brinnington for the weekend to head off more anti-social behaviour.
“What happened last weekend from a small group of people was totally unacceptable and we will find the individuals responsible,” said Inspector Ian Ashenden, from GMP’s Stockport central local policing team.
“We are putting robust plans in place this weekend to ensure there is no repeat and to allow law-abiding people to enjoy their evenings.
“We will have extra officers on patrol throughout the weekend with a large presence on both Friday and Saturday nights.
“The dispersal order allows our officers to engage with people and ask them to leave the area if they are causing members of the public harassment, alarm or distress. If they return, they risk committing a criminal offence and being arrested.
“Even though the majority of our officers will initially be based in Brinnington, our plans are flexible and officers can be deployed to other areas of Stockport if needed.”
A dispersal order gives police officers the power to ask groups of people to leave the area. Those who are acting anti-socially can face arrest or will be returned to their home address.
Speaking after Sunday night, one terrified woman told the M.E.N: “They’ve taken my fence, and thrown fireworks at my home – to the point where we’ve had to move the cars from the house. Obviously you get hurled a bit of abuse, and they threw a firework towards my window so you could see the sparks from that.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 3221 of 31/10/21.
Alternatively, details can be passed via the online live webchat function at www.gmp.police.uk.