Footage has emerged of a gang of youths hurling fireworks at cyclists on an east London housing estate.
The 20-second clip appears to show a group of around seven young men, clad in dark clothing, throw bangers at two cyclists as they pass a block of flats in Springfield, Hackney.
The lit fireworks bounce off a car and explode close to a block of flats before the youths are filmed running away.
The video, shared on Twitter by Shomrim NE London, was taken just before 10pm on October 22.
Shulem Stern, from Stamford Hill neighbourhood watch group Shomrim, branded the group’s actions as “dangerous” and said more needs to be done by emergency services to prevent teenagers playing with fireworks.
He told the Standard: “Every year there's incidents of youths directing fireworks at innocent pedestrians, and this year is no exception.
“It is extremely dangerous. More needs to be done by police and by the courts, to arrest, prosecute and punish both the ones who direct the fireworks, endangering innocent victims, and also shops that sell fireworks to underage youths."
Twitter users slammed the “unacceptable behaviour”.
Stephen Hines, a paramedic manager with London Ambulance Service said: “This sort of behaviour is never acceptable. Fireworks are incredibly dangerous and could maim or kill."
Another user, known as Clare, described how she had fireworks directed at her and her child whilst walking on Lower Clapton Road in Hackney.
She wrote: “I've had fireworks fired at me across LCR (Lower Clapton Road) when with my young child. Scared me stiff."
And another Twitter-user added: “I think fireworks should not be available for sale to private individuals, let alone children."
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has urged Londoners to attended organised displays rather than set off fireworks themselves.
Mark Hazelton, group manager for community safety at LFB, said: “Using fireworks in this way is incredibly dangerous and can cause serious injury or worse. People should never throw fireworks and should never put them in their pockets.
“It is far safer to go to organised displays rather than lighting fireworks yourself. If you do choose to host your own display, it is vital to follow the Firework Safety Code.”
