Firefighters, police and paramedics have joined forces to warn against attacks on emergency service workers this Halloween and bonfire night. The warning comes after an increase in attacks on firefighters and other anti-social behaviour last year. Greater Manchester’s emergency services have launched the 'Bang Out of Order' campaign in which they urge communities to be safe and warning against attacking emergency service workers or taking part in anti-social behaviour.
Incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) rose by more than 20 per cent last year to over 10,000 recorded cases, with direct attacks on firefighters also increasing. ‘Bang Out Of Order’ is a campaign led by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) alongside Greater Manchester Police (GMP), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and the city-region’s 10 local councils. GMFRS and GMP figures from 1 September to 13 November 2023 show: • 22 attacks on firefighters •Police and firefighters received 1,017 hoax calls • 1,167 fires were started deliberately •There were 10,036 incidents of ASB compared to 8,200 the year before READ MORE: Bolton's bonfire and firework displays taking place The ‘Bang Out Of Order’ campaign highlights the consequences of anti-social behaviour, encouraging parents to have conversations with their children about their behaviour over the bonfire and Halloween period, and informing residents about how to report these type.
