Garforth charity bonfire cancelled due to anti-social behaviour

The annual bonfire in Garforth is cancelled this year due to anti-social behaviour. Pictured at the 2022 event

An annual charity bonfire in Garforth has been cancelled due to a "massive spike" in local anti-social behaviour.

The event, which has been going for 40 years, will not go ahead on 3 November as there are public safety concerns.

Organisers Garforth and District Lions Club said a lack of police presence and the "dangerous activities of some youths" were the main reasons.

Police called the event "low-risk" but said officers would have been "on patrol in the general locality".

One resident said: "What a shame that a mindless few have spoiled it for the majority."

Mark Dobson, from the Garforth and District Lions Club's activities team, said that during last year's bonfire on Glebelands a "handful" of youths threw fireworks at the crowd and continued to do so on nearby streets after the event finished.

He also said it was "disappointing" that local police were refusing to attend because they consider the bonfire to be a "private event" despite it being held in a council-owned field.

Normally about 2,000 people attend the event, the charity said

Mr Dobson said: "In 40 years we have only missed one year and that was due to Covid.

"We normally expect about 2,000 so it's also disappointing for the people that look forward to it.

"It's disappointing too that a year's worth of work is wasted just because of a handful of youths."

Garforth and District Lions Club posted on social media that other "obstacles" such as a change in insurance policies and a lack of funding to safely facilitate the bonfire were also factors.

Its statement said: "The more we looked at the event we were unable to guarantee, to our satisfaction, that there would be no repetition of the dangerous activities of some youths intent on dangerously disrupting the event, both on site and adjacent to it."

Another local resident said on Facebook: "This is such a shame and a crushing loss to the vast majority of families and young children who come to enjoy this event."

Mr Dobson added that for future events, the charity would be looking into providing a "secure, enclosed event" with private security and a small ticket fee.

West Yorkshire Police said: "As with any private event, it is the responsibility of the organiser to maintain the safety of those attending the event and to ensure there is sufficient trained and appropriate staffing in place from a public safety perspective."

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