Fifteen arrests after Sheffield Bonfire Night violence

Dramatic scenes caught on video showed fireworks being hurled across Abbeydale Road through moving traffic on Bonfire Night last year, causing damage to nearby businesses and cars.

Three police officers were injured, one seriously. The other two received minor burns and bruising after being hit by rockets.

Police launched ‘Operation Satellite’ in response to the November 5 disorder.

Sgt Samantha Cooper gave an update at a public meeting at Madina Mosque on Wolseley Road.

She said: “The investigation at this time is still ongoing but we have made 15 arrests and interviewed a number of other people under caution in relation to the incidents.

“CCTV has been obtained from the area, including the mosque and properties on surrounding roads.

“Due to the nature of the incident it has been hard to identify culprits due to them wearing masks, it was dark and the fireworks obscure attempts to ID these people.

“From the whole community, we’ve had huge support and everybody that I’ve spoken to – even those we have arrested – realises it’s not acceptable behaviour and we all need to work together so this doesn’t happen again.”

Sgt Cooper added that the arrests had caused a ‘big disruption’ and a decrease in trouble since November 5.

Despite the chaos on Bonfire Night, police figures show anti-social behaviour in Nether Edge fell 11 per cent on 2014.

Comparing the month of November, in 2014 there were 104 incidents and in 2015 there were 71 – a 32 per cent decrease.

Nether Edge Coun Nikki Bond said: “I’m really pleased with the reduction in anti-social behaviour. We’ve been working on this for four years.

“It goes up and down but it’s good to see a reduction. This is not to say that the job is done by any means and we’re always looking at different ways and ideas to tackle the issue.

“Nether Edge councillors are grateful for the cooperation and support of the local community, local police teams and the Police and Crime Commissioner for helping to reduce the amount of ASB by 11 per cent in 12 months.

“We urge members of the public to continue reporting crimes.”