Up to 40 children gather in Hartlepool park prompting police warning to parents over Covid breach

The force received three calls to the Hartfields play area, in Bishop Cuthbert, on Friday, October 23 by concerned residents reporting a large gathering of up to 40 children who were lighting fireworks.

When officers arrived they were ‘met with hostility’ by the gang of youths who were using ‘foul language and insulting gestures’ at police as they ran into the estate.

They also left the area scattered with debris from the discarded explosives.

Parents are now being urged to educate their children on the dangers of fireworks and the current rules in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic – or they could face a fine.

In an appeal, posted on social media, officers asked ‘do you know where your children were last night?’

The Hartlepool Neighbourhood Police Team post said: “May we take this opportunity to kindly request that you educate your children around the dangers of fireworks and also the current expectations around staying safe whilst we are still amid the Covid-19 pandemic?”

Adding: “An important thing to remember is that current Legislation around Covid-19 states that parents can be fined if their children are found to be breaching the rules set in place by Government.”

You can find firework safety information by visiting www.rospa.com regarding the proper use of fireworks.

For Covid-19 safety advice for areas, including Hartlepool, which are classed as Tier 2 – ‘high alert level’ – can be found here.

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