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Stephen Watson, Greater Manchester Police’s chief constable, said “it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets killed” and that “cannot happen”. Speaking as a guest on BBC Manchester, the police officer said fireworks cause “distress” to a lot of people.

One caller, named Stephen, asked the chief “what’s going to be done about fireworks?”

Stephen said: “I know it’s coming up to Bonfire time but it’s horrendous where I live.

“We’re a sheltered accommodation with people over 60, some 70, and it’s unbelievable.

“There are 12 fireworks in a box that I believe are about £35 to buy and when they go off they’re like explosions.”

As Manchester Evening News reports, the host Mike Sweeney asked Chief Con Watson if he would ban fireworks entirely.

“Given half a chance – yes I would,” Mr Watson said.

The top cop added: “We’ve had people almost pointing rockets at passing vehicles and buses and putting them into telephone kiosks and all the rest of it.

“This goes a long way away from kids knocking around a bonfire and letting off a few fireworks and having fun. It’s that of course that we want to preserve.

“This is something we’re very much alive to.

“We know the distress it causes to people.”

Bonfire Night is on Friday November 5, just four weeks away, and will be celebrated eagerly as last year’s events were axed due to the pandemic.

But Mr Watson, who was Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police for almost five years before joining Greater Manchester Constabulary, is wary young people use fireworks as weapons.

He continued: “We’re being really proactive about stopping people and searching people where we have suspicions that they’re going to use these weapons inappropriately.

“Because I’ve taken the view for a long time that it is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed. And that cannot happen.”

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