Children have been left injured after fireworks were thrown at police officers in London last night.
Footage shared by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on Twitter shows officers on Fore Street, in Enfield, diving for cover as pyrotechnics were lobbed in their direction outside McDonalds.
In the video, a female officer can be seen running from the attackers shortly before the fireworks explode at her and her colleagues feet.
Some footage from last night on Fore Street, the Enfield MPS Twitter account wrote alongside the clip.
Officers will always be used as a target to throw fireworks at, however members of the public [and] children were injured as a result of others inappropriate dangerous behaviour.
These are UK's healthiest and unhealthiest high streets
Dispersal zones are still in place.
A spokesperson for the MPS said police are investigating the incident and more information will be available later today.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The footage has sparked debate online about the law around fireworks and the use of police officers as a target during this time of year.
In the UK, it is illegal to set off fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places.
Pyrotechnics must also not be used between 11pm and 7am unless for a special occasion, such as New Years Eve, Bonfire Night or Diwali, where the cut off can be midnight or 1am.
Under 16s can now be banned from drinking caffeine at Costa Coffee
However, anyone above the age of 18 is able to purchase fireworks from a licensed store, with current sales expected to continue until November 10.
I cant, as hard as I try, understand why we as a community accept people carrying explosives around, wrote Maria McCoy online.
Another Twitter user added: Im so sorry that some people think this is acceptable. Im so sorry that you guys are abused like this. Its not right and not what you deserve.
This is why fireworks should never be sold to the general public. Disgraceful, a third person tweeted.
While Sarah Dixon said: Mindless. Not “high jinx”. This is totally unacceptable. It is equally unacceptable to accept that “officers will always be a target to throw fireworks at”.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Enfield MPS later added: Its never okay to throw fireworks at officers, its not acceptable nor is it implied that this is okay.
It was a frightening experience for all officers on the ground last night.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
