Warning after fireworks aimed at medics responding to emergency call in Finsbury Park

Youths aimed fireworks at medics in an ambulance
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Liam Coleman6 November 2019

London's ambulance workers issued a safety plea today after hooded youths aimed fireworks at medics responding to an emergency call.

An ambulance with its blue lights on was forced to swerve out of the way and perform an emergency stop when the group threw the firework into the road in Finsbury Park.

The driver of the ambulance said: “This was a close call for me and my crewmates as a firework was aimed towards our ambulance and exploded as I drove on blue lights and sirens to an incident. Behaviour like this causes accidents and endangers people’s lives — ours included.”

The incident, which happened at about 9pm on Saturday, prompted the safety warning from the London Ambulance Service (LAS).

“We can’t believe we have to say this but aiming fireworks at our ambulances is not part of the job,” a spokesman said.

“The crew - who were driving on blue lights to an emergency - were forced to swerve and stop.

"Luckily there were no patients in the back but putting our crews in danger is unacceptable.”

Last night police were forced to quell a Bonfire Night disturbance involving a group of youths in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police were called to investigate reports of disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Harehills Road area at around 8.20pm.

They said groups of youths were hurling fireworks and other missiles, while also setting fire to rubbish bins.

A police helicopter was called in to assist and several arrests were made as the crowd dispersed.

“A number of people have been arrested and investigations are currently ongoing to identify all those involved,” West Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

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