Police officers renew calls for fireworks to be used responsibly following disorder in Stratford.

Officers have renewed calls for fireworks to be used responsibly following disorder in Stratford on Monday evening. Awful scenes were witnessed as yobs chose to hurl fireworks at police officers, shoppers, commuters and even targeting a woman with a pushchair.

Police were called at 18:24hrs on Monday, 31 October to reports that a group of people were setting off fireworks near to Stratford Bus Station.

Officers attended and found a significant crowd with estimates that around 200 people were in the area. There were numerous calls to police from concerned members of the public. 

Fireworks were being let off at random in a busy public place and further resources from across the Met had to be sent to support local officers as they worked to restore order. 

Officers had to respond in full protective equipment due to the nature of the situation. A teenage girl was arrested after attempting to let off a firework directly at them. 

While there were no reports of any injuries, we are aware of a video shared on social media showing a firework let off in the direction of a woman with a pushchair. Officers were not made aware of the specific incident at the time and neither the Met, nor the LAS, received a report of any injury to the child. 

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who is in command of policing for Newham and Waltham Forest, said:“This was a very challenging situation and I am proud of the way my officers, supported by teams from across the Met, responded to restore calm. 

“Sadly each year around this time we see incidents, often in busy public places, where fireworks are set off in a reckless way causing panic and risking serious injury. 

“We were lucky on Monday evening that nobody – either the public or officers – was hurt. We saw from the video where a firework exploded by a pushchair just how real the risk of serious injury could be.

“I would urge anyone who has bought or intends to buy fireworks to remember their responsibility to use them in a way that keeps others safe.”

Further information and guidance about the safe use of fireworks is available from the London Fire Brigade.