Police braced for early Bonfire Night in South Tyneside as lockdown hits before November 5

Police are braced for a surge in calls if families attempt to beat impending coronavirus lockdowns by holding Bonfire Night celebrations early.
By James Harrison
Published 4th Nov 2020, 06:00 BST
With lockdown coming into force from Thursday November 5, police are braced for trouble with people expected to 'celebrate' earlyWith lockdown coming into force from Thursday November 5, police are braced for trouble with people expected to 'celebrate' early
With lockdown coming into force from Thursday November 5, police are braced for trouble with people expected to 'celebrate' early

Halloween and Guy Fawkes events usually mark one of the busiest parts of the year for England’s forces.

And with new COVID restrictions placing strict limits on public gatherings expected to come into effect from Thursday, November 5, officers have predicted some may hold planned celebrations early, rather than cancel them.

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“We’ve also got plans in place for Bonfire Night on Thursday,” said Northumbria Police’s Phil Baker, the inspector responsible for the West Shields and the Riverside areas of South Shields.

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“That will be the day, if the vote goes through Parliament, of the commencement of lockdown.

“Because of that, we have extra plans in place for (Wednesday, November 4), in case Bonfire Night moves forward or some of the licenced premises are a bit busier or there are issues with gatherings.”

Insp Baker was speaking at this morning’s meeting of South Tyneside Council’s Riverside Community Area Forum (CAF), which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

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On Friday October 30, the borough council confirmed it had cancelled this year’s fireworks displays at South Shields seafront due to the pandemic.

Households have also been warned local authority staff will be extra vigilant for signs of illegal bonfires and urged all families planning to mark Bonfire Night to do so ‘within the law and to be considerate of their neighbours’.

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