Extra police patrols planned for Bonfire Night

Police and fire crews were called when disorder broke out in Nottingham during Bonfire Night in 2024

Additional police patrols will be deployed in Nottingham for Bonfire Night after disorder involving hundreds of people broke out last year.

About 300 people were involved in the chaos, in Radford, which saw fireworks launched at buildings, parked vehicles and emergency service workers.

Nottinghamshire Police said it had taken measures to prevent similar scenes during Halloween and Bonfire Night this year, including facial recognition cameras and additional security.

Supt Chris Pearson said it was "pure luck" there were no serious injuries or fires last year and added the force was "doing everything possible to prevent large-scale disorder again this year".

"Last year's disorder was really awful and had a big impact on the local community," he said.

"Likewise, police officers and other emergency service workers do not come to work to be attacked, and the level of violence directed towards them last year was wholly unacceptable."

Police say they have already been called to reports of fireworks being launched at people and buildings this year

Multiple crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene in Midland Way in Radford on Bonfire Night in 2024.

The disturbance broke out outside student accommodation but it was believed the majority of the perpetrators were "young people from other parts of the city" the police said.

Some students told the BBC they were left "scared" and "worried" following the events that unfolded as they slept.

This year a university policing team has been deployed to engage with students and promote Bonfire Night safety.

The force said its operation - in collaboration with the fire service and Nottingham City Council - also included neighbourhood officers on hand to break up groups causing trouble, a dedicated anti-social behaviour (ASB) car for officers to respond to calls and a police CCTV van to monitor public areas.

'Students warned'

Nottingham's universities have also urged students to celebrate safety this year.

Brydie Adams, head of community engagement at the University of Nottingham added: "The university's position is firm: any student involved in disorder or the misuse of fireworks will face investigation, and we will hold individuals accountable for actions that compromise public safety."

Accommodation provider Student Roost which has a number of student living complexes in the city said any residents found engaging in the unsafe or irresponsible use of fireworks would be reported to their universities and "may face exclusion from their studies and termination of their tenancy".

The police said it had already been called to reports of fireworks being launched at people and buildings in the lead-up to Halloween this year.

A number of dispersal orders were imposed across Nottingham during the Halloween weekend.

The force warned it could re-impose the orders, which give officers temporary powers to direct people to leave specific areas "at any time".