Loutish lunacy

Screengrab of a firework exploding under a police vehicle in Oldham, and right, the dumped forklift truck

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ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour and crime has caused chaos on Oldham's roads over the past few nights with fireworks exploding near police vans and a stolen forklift truck left abandoned in the middle of the road.

A shocking social media video, believed to have be filmed on Bonfire Night, shows a firework landing and sending sparks out from under a Greater Manchester Police van before a second firework explodes just yards away and in front of another police van.

The footage was posted on "Oldham Latest News" Facebook page.

The actions were described as "disgraceful" "mindless" and "stupid" by residents on social media.

Crazy

Leanne Cooper said: " Absolutely crazy.

"Same thing happens every year, something needs doing!

"I don't think fireworks should be banned completely.

"I think you should have to have a licence to buy them for organised events only and stop the sales in shops and supermarkets."

Bilkis Begum said: "These people seem to have no brains, they will do anything for entertainment."

Karen Hall said: "This is why everyone's local council should put on a display for people to pay to go and see and stop selling them to the public."

Last night police were called to a second anti-social behaviour incident in Oldham when a forklift truck was stolen and abandoned in the middle of a road.

The stolen vehicle caused a severe obstruction after it was abandoned on Foxdenton Lane, Chadderton, at around 8pm last night.

A witness said they saw the vehicle being driven erratically

Michelle Gardner said: "It was weaving over the road, kept stalling and was being driven at about three miles an hour.

Pavement

"I'd remarked to my daughter I wondered if it was stolen."

Several people also remarked that they had to mount the pavement to pass the vehicle after it was abandoned in the road.

The road remained open however motorists were advised to slow down and pass with care until a recovery agent was able to move the vehicle.