Chaos reigned on firework night as youths began setting off explosives into the street as PEOPLE and VEHICLES passed by – looking like a scene from Star Wars.
Under a cloud of thick smoke, fireworks were set off repeatedly leaving a residential and shopping street in Sheffield, South Yorks., to resemble a colourful sci-fi warzone.
In a video of the incident, red, green and white shots can be seen flying around and thugs can be seen walking around with fireworks that look like LIGHTSABERS.
Sparks fly across the street and the dangerous flares almost hit a number of vehicles and a man who looks like a steward.
Sheffield Councillor Nasima Akhtar was at the scene on Abbeydale Road and was left furious that youngsters had spoiled the evening for others.
She said: “Young people have showed NO respect and no sense of responsibility towards the public and police tonight.
“Thanks to local volunteers who made these young people stop attacking buses and private cars, businesses and locals.”
The councillor added: “They were uncontrollable. I feel sorry for the residents and businesses – every year they have to put up with this.”
Councillor Akhtar explained that she had called 999 for help but described the police as “very relaxed about their actions”.
The video of the incident has been posted on Facebook and many locals have commented on how dangerous the scene really was.
Facebook user Louise Barton commented: “I walked past here at about 9pm and it was my first time since moving to Sheffield in 2006 that I’ve genuinely feared for my own safety.
“Lots of kids throwing fireworks, police vans driving past but not stopping. Incredibly dangerous and it felt out of control.
“It doesn’t matter where the kids/people were from, it shouldn’t have been allowed to escalate to what it did.”
One local resident speaking about the incident believed that police could have done more to calm the situation.
The resident, who declined to be named, said: “The police did nothing…didn’t come near the place.
“When riot police came they were from outside the area and didn’t have a clue what to do.
“There was no coordination at all – they started to trouble local residents who had come out to stop the kids.”
The resident added: “The kids who were causing chaos were not believed to be from the area but were from different locations.”
Fortunately no one has been reported as hurt.
South Yorkshire Police have been contacted for comment.
