Bonfire Night ‘warzone’ as car engulfed in flames, fireworks hurled at cops & yobs erect BARRICADE in UK city
A CAR has been engulfed in flames as yobs hurled fireworks at cops and erected a barricade in a Bonfire Night “warzone”.
Around 20 to 30 teens were seen making barricades from mattresses and pallets in east Manchester last night.
They also started an illegal bonfire with waste and a motorbike, torched a car and hurled fireworks at emergency services.
Three teens, aged between 16 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder.
In a social media post, one local said: “Looks like a full scale war zone down there.”
Cops first scrambled to the chaos in the Vine Street area at 4.15pm yesterday.
Superintendent Richard McNamara said: “Police patrols were quickly deployed within minutes of the report being made to us.
“The incident quickly dealt with and targeted arrests made to stop escalation.
“We know incidents like this will rightly cause concern to members of the local community and people who enjoyed Bonfire Night safely.”
He added: “I want to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident.
“It was dealt with very quickly by local neighbourhood officers with assistance from officers from our Specialist Operations branch, who brought the incident to a safe conclusion.
“We have also worked alongside our partners in the area throughout the evening by deploying joint patrols with youth services and colleagues in the fire service.
“Thankfully, there were no reported injuries made to us.
“Despite fireworks being aimed at our officers, I am also pleased to say that no officers were injured.
“It is shocking that we are seeing fireworks being used as a weapon towards emergency services as they try and keep our communities safe.
“A thorough investigation is underway, and while we have made three arrests in connection with this incident, further arrests will follow.
“Investigating officers are pursuing several lines of enquiry that will ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.”
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Shortly after 4:35pm yesterday two fire engines from Blackley and Gorton fire stations were called to reports of a dangerous bonfire on Vine Street, Manchester.
“With the support of Greater Manchester Police crews were able to bring the area under control and extinguish the fire.
“Firefighters were in attendance for around an hour.”
EDINBURGH CARNAGE
It came as riot cops and the police chopper descended on an Edinburgh housing estate after yobs unleashed more Bonfire Night mayhem.
Officers with shields and batons faced down gangs in Niddrie who were launching fireworks at motors and setting wheelie bins ablaze.
Our footage from the scene showed riot cops chasing down dozens of youngsters.
There was also a tense stand-off where one person was bundled to the ground by officers who were blocking people from passing at a flashpoint spot.
Some innocent bystanders were also caught up in the mayhem as thugs launched bricks at police and set fire to more wheelie bins.
Youths gather around burning bins left to smoulder in the middle of the road as others film the chaotic scenes from their smartphones.
Cops wearing helmets form a line along the street before charging towards the group.
Dozens of yobs are then kettled by officers before they are herded away from the remains of the smoking bins.
Cops reversed back in their vans when yobs started throwing fireworks in their direction.
They then turned their vans round.
When the police left one member of the public was heard to shout: “They won’t throw them now – the police are gone.”
But their barrage continued and they then started throwing fireworks in the direction of members of the public.
Roads were first closed at around 6.45pm after fireworks were thrown in the direction of vehicles.
One pyro was seen flying onto Niddrie Mains Road and there was a flash before smoke was seen rising from the tarmac.
Moments later cops started diverting traffic away from the scene of the incident.
A police helicopter was shining its spotlight down onto the area.
Members of the public were advised to steer clear of the area where trouble erupted.
Fireworks could be seen and heard exploding in the air in the distance.
Elsewhere missiles were thrown at riot police gathered in the Gilmerton and Sighthill areas of Edinburgh.
MP for Edinburgh Ian Murray described the scenes as “disgraceful and unacceptable” amid further disorder in the Moredun and Gracemount areas of the city.
Gracemount Drive was closed off with cops diverting traffic away from the area.
A police helicopter moved over the area later into the evening with reports of tense scenes between riot police and gangs.
The Guy Fawkes disorder comes just days after Halloween fireworks mayhem in the same community.
At the weekend Chief Superintendent David Robertson said the police will leave “no stone unturned” to find those responsible for the firework-related violence in Niddrie and elsewhere on Halloween.
Groups of youths targeted police vehicles with fireworks and other projectiles amid numerous reports of anti-social behaviour last Thursday night.
One female officer was injured when the window of the vehicle she was inside was smashed by a brick and local buses were also pelted with projectiles, police said.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged fireworks offences.
Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day said he was “shocked and saddened” by the “mindless violence” on what should have been a family-friendly Halloween.
Mr Robertson said he is “furious” one of his colleagues was attacked, while acknowledging disorder around Bonfire Night has become a recurring theme in this part of Edinburgh.
He told journalists: “I think (Niddrie) has become a focal point, in truth.
“It feels as though that’s why – it’s almost become an anniversary type position, where it’s okay to attack police in Niddrie.
“That’s what these individuals are seeking to do.
“That’s how they get a sense of enjoyment, it’s about attacking the police.”
When similar disorder took place in Niddrie around Bonfire Night in 2022 and 2023, police later discovered many of those involved were from other parts of the city and its suburbs, he said.