Investigation following spate of damage on bonfire night

We are currently investigating a spate of criminal damage in Stoke-on-Trent involving a group of young people on bonfire night.

Officers were called to a number of areas in Snow Hill, Shelton, between 8.45pm and 9.15pm last night (5 November). Reports included a large group of masked youths deliberately causing damage to a number of buildings and vehicles. They were seen throwing stones, bricks and launching fireworks in the area.

On one occasion, the group smashed a window at the Hanley Masonic Hall and threw a firework inside, which ignited and set fire.

Our colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended and extinguished the fire. Luckily, no one was inside at the time and no one was injured.

A number of officers were sent to the area and have been speaking to those who were around at the time. However, the group left the area and work is ongoing to identify them today (6 November).

Detective Inspector Laura Agu, from CID, said: “This spate of dangerous behaviour has caused understandable concern within the local community and costly damages to a number of local businesses and organisations. 

“Bonfire night has never been an excuse to behave recklessly and commit acts of deliberate criminal damage. We will take action against those who think it’s acceptable to do so.

“Work is continuing at pace to look through CCTV from the area, speak to those with information and carry out enquiries to identify those involved and find out more about what happened.

“I urge anyone who may have footage from the area last night or those with any information which can help with our investigation to get in touch. We won’t tolerate this behaviour and we are committed to acting on the concerns of local people and businesses as robustly as possible.”

If you have any information, call us on 101, quoting incident 696 of 5 November, or message us using Live Chat on our website.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.