Bonfire night CHAOS as youths trap RSPCA workers starting ‘war zone’ firework shoot-out
RSPCA workers were forced to hunker down inside a building for safety last night after thugs set off fireworks were set off at street-level.
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The footage, shot in the London borough of Islington, shows the workers watching from the RSPCA Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital in Holloway. Just outside, fireworks can be seen streaming down the street at a police car parked just yards away.
One of the workers can be heard saying: “Just think of all the animals, you utter b**s!”
Another, watching the fireworks explode against nearby buildings, says: “It’s like a warzone.”
At one point, the explosions subside before a further flurry are launched, forcing the police vehicle to back away.
#Islington
— London 999 Feed (@999London) November 5, 2020
A veterinary nurse working a night shift at the RSPCA Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital in #Holloway, N7, says she and her colleagues were trapped inside their place of work as yobs blasted fireworks at a Met police car and resembled the shoot-out like a “war zone”. pic.twitter.com/APPON8HNFP
One of the fireworks explodes just feet away from the RSPCA workers, who were luckily watching from indoors.
The footage, posted by Twitter user 999London, prompted furious replies from social media users, who said: “Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public. It’s beyond a joke every year.”
Another said the incident, which appeared to target the police car, was “dreadful and disgusting”.
READ: Coronavirus police clampdown: Merseyside officers hand out £10,000 fines for bonfire
The attack follows similar incidents in recent days, including one in Birmingham when gangs launched fireworks at each other in Birmingham city centre on Halloween night.
Videos posted online show fireworks being hurled into the road not far from city centre landmark the Bullring shopping centre.
One resident told the Birmingham Mail: “I could see fireworks were being thrown at traffic and where passers-by were walking and was really concerned someone would get hurt.”
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They added they had phoned police two times after a delay in response time. The service said they were busy dealing with other incidents of a similar nature.
This week, the RSPCA in Wales warned this year could be particularly concerning in terms of fireworks and animal welfare because of an increase in home displays.
Public fireworks displays have been cancelled this year across the UK due to coronavirus restrictions.
Dr Mark Kennedy, an animal welfare expert from the RSPCA, said the charity expects “lots of families will be choosing to have their own displays at home”.
He told ITV: “We fear that there will be lots of little displays taking place over weeks and weeks, spreading out fireworks noise and causing prolonged distress for animals.”
Dr Kennedy urged residents to be “considerate” towards neighbours with animals and to keep them informed of plans for private firework displays well ahead of time.
The RSPCA states that roughly 62 percent of dogs show “signs of distress” around fireworks, in addition to around 54 percent of cats and 55 percent of horses.
Fireworks can also be harmful to farm animals, which can damage themselves on equipment after being started by them.
According to the British Horse Society, there have been at least 20 deaths and 10 severe injuries in horses due to fireworks since 2010.
The RSPCA launched a campaign called Bang Out of Order last year to call for tighter regulations around the use of fireworks.