Fireworks: facing up to the dangers

DRAMATIC images of youngsters injured by fireworks will go on display this week in a bid to keep children safe on bonfire night.

The shocking pictures form part of a hard-hitting safety campaign by the Treacle Partnership — which is made up of police, firefighters and members of all 10 councils in Greater Manchester.

It was set up to cut anti-social behaviour around Hallowe’en and bonfire night, as well as targeting inappropriate sales and misuse of fireworks.

The “Let’s Face It” campaign is the third of its kind by the partnership and members are hoping to build on previous successes which include a 15 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour and a 33 per cent drop in firework-related incidents.

The partnership uses billboards, posters, radio and television adverts, and a dedicated website — safe4autumn.com — to get across its message.

Jim Owen, assistant county fire officer, said “Our aim is to ensure that everyone enjoys this time for all the right reasons, and not one person in Greater Manchester suffers the type of catastrophic and life changing injuries we have previously seen.

“By working with our partners in this way we want to ensure that everyone can enjoy a happy and safe Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.”

Anyone caught behaving anti-socially could be hit with an £80 fine and a criminal record.