Leeds fireworks injunction: West Yorkshire Police issue warning over fireworks being thrown at emergency workers on Bonfire Night

West Yorkshire Police has put an injunction in place across Leeds prohibiting the anti-social use of fireworks.

The injunction, which came into force in October, allows police to take action against any individual or group that is found to be using fireworks in what officers consider an anti-social or threatening way.

Secured at Leeds County Court, the injunction means both preventative and proactive measures will be available to Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police for action to be taken.

It will be in place until November 30 and orders that those who do not obey regulations may be held in contempt of court and could face an arrest, imprisonment, fine or having their assets seized.

West Yorkshire Police tweeted: “There is a Leeds-wide injunction prohibiting the anti-social use of fireworks.

“Anyone who breaches this injunction could face arrest.

“We are on patrol and below are the fireworks we recently confiscated from a young person. Please be responsible with fireworks.”

When the injunction was issued, Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said: “We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour in our communities, which is why we took the decision with our partners at West Yorkshire Police to seek additional powers through the courts to help us tackle the deliberate and dangerous misuse of fireworks.

“I am delighted to say that the injunction has been granted, and in doing so will not only provide us with additional tools to stop this type of reckless behaviour, but also with the powers to take quick and positive action against those involved.”

Leeds anti-social fireworks injunction - the full list of rules:

it is forbidden to:

Use any firework or other explosive or pyrotechnic material in public within the Leeds metropolitan area (as shown on the attached map edged in blue) in an anti-social manner as set out in Schedule 1.

Use abusive words or gestures to, threaten or obstruct or interfere with in any way any emergency worker (as identified in Schedule 2) dealing with any firework-related incident within the Leeds metropolitan area.

Schedule 1

The anti social use of fireworks or other explosive or pyrotechnic materials includes, but is not restricted, to the following activities:

Directing a firework towards any person

Directing a firework towards any animal

Directing a firework towards any vehicle

Directing a firework at any building or structure

Using a firework so as to cause nuisance or annoyance to any resident of the Leeds metropolitan district (other than using fireworks on residential premises by the lawful occupier).

Schedule 2

Emergency workers are :

A Police Constable

A Police Community Support Officer

A Police Crime Scene Investigator

A firefighter employed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

A person employed by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service

An NHS employee

An employee of Leeds City Council

If you do not obey terms 1 and 2 of this order you may be held to be in contempt of court. Proceedings for contempt may result in your arrest and you may be imprisoned or fined or your assets may be seized.