Action must be taken to stop bonfires that affect communities in North Liverpool, according to a veteran councillor.
For the past decade, emergency services led by Merseyside Police have staged Operation Banger across the Halloween and Bonfire period in October and November to ensure celebrations are as safe as possible. Representatives from the police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported to Liverpool Council ’s neighbourhoods committee last night on how this year’s operation went.
However, concerns were raised about the impact of bonfires in Kirkdale by Cllr Joe Hanson, ward member and committee chair. The fire service said that 88 deliberate fires were set between October 19th and November 6, a reduction of almost 20%.
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A total of 28 dangerous bonfires were set during that time with 10 firework incidents noted. Speaking about the experiences in his own ward, Cllr Hanson said bonfires in Kirkdale are "run by gangsters trying to outdo each other" and his frustration led him to giving up in getting it sorted.
"I'm well up to here with it," he said. Cllr Hanson added: "What have we got to do to get authorities to do something about what's going on in that area?"
He said: "Nobody listens and nobody cares." Describing himself as "not a happy bunny" the committee chair acknowledged that while the police and fire services had done a good job, "something has got to be done about that type of bonfire" and "god forbid somebody got killed" before calling on emergency crews to listen to communities.
During the Operation Banger period, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage incidents increased across the city on key dates such as Mischief Night and Halloween based on last year, but figures were down on Bonfire Night almost a week later. A presentation from Liverpool Council showed that the local authority had vehicles across the city removing wood and combustible materials while streetscene officers reported early stages of bonfires to be taken away.
Concerns were raised ahead of the annual festivities about large piles of wood and crates being stacked on land near Rickman Street in Kirkdale, to the concern of young mum Gold Onwuka who lives nearby with her two-year-old son, Royal. Despite the council’s best efforts to remove the wood, further piles were constructed by Gold and Royal’s home in time for Bonfire Night.
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