Fireworks hurled at police officers and firefighters in Halloween attacks in SheffieldÂ

Firefighters and police officers had fireworks hurled at them in a series of Halloween attacks in Sheffield. Â
Sheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart BartonSheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton
Sheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton

South Yorkshire Police said officers had fireworks, eggs and stones hurled at them while responding to incidents in Firth Park and Burngreave last night.

CRIME: Man recovering after stabbing in Sheffield city centre And firefighters called out to a house blaze in Lifford Street, Tinsley, were also pelted with fireworks and eggs.

Sheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart BartonSheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton
Sheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton
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Police officer attacked at domestic incident in Sheffield
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The blaze broke out after a firework was hurled through a bedroom window.

Two men in the house at the time escaped unharmed.

Police officers and firefighters targeted by yobs in the Halloween attacks avoided injury but South Yorkshire Police Inspector Chris Lewis, whose officers were attacked, slammed the '˜stupidity' of those involved.

He said he fears  it '˜will only be a matter of time before these mindless acts result in serious injury to an officer or a member of the public'.

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Sheffield's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton, has also condemned those involved.

'Last night the vast majority of people in Sheffield enjoyed themselves trick or treating and having fun but unfortunately there was a small minority who decided to target police officers,' he said.

'It was a small group but their actions could have caused catastrophic consequences for the police officers and their families.

'This foolish few did not think about the consequences of their actions and rest assured we will do all we can to identify and deal with them.

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'We want people to enjoy this time of year and not to get involved in activities which will lead them to our custody suite and could have long term repercussions.'

Area Manager Tony Carlin, of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: 'We are absolutely appalled that our firefighters appear to have been targeted in this way.

'Attacks like this place the safety of our firefighters, and the people they are trying to protect, at risk. Thankfully, this type of incident is extremely rare in South Yorkshire and it is only a tiny minority of people who would ever consider acting in such an irresponsible and dangerous way.

'However, even one attack on a firefighter is completely unacceptable '“ and we will work alongside the police to fully investigate any attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.'

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The new Assaults on Emergency Services Workers (Offences) Act 2018 is now in force.

Firefighters, police officers, prison officers and NHS staff are among those covered by the new law, which introduces tougher sentences for people who attack emergency services personnel.

Anyone with information on those involved in the attacks should call South Yorkshire Police on 101.