Security guard comes under attack after Elland bonfire

Organisers said the youths aged six to 16-years-old were causing trouble on Friday at 4.30pm as they built the bonfire on Hullenedge Road.

Malcolm Coton, chairman of Elland Round Table, said large rocks, wood and bottles were thrown at volunteers.

“The youths were confronted about their actions but without much achieved. We explained that volunteers had taken a week off work to prepare the event and pointed out that we had allowed them to build ramps and dens from pallets and plywood for the bonfire, and in fact that we had flagged to Calderdale Council the need for a permanent shelter for them.

“Without our work, many in Elland would face losing such a great event which funds go straight back into the local community.”

He also said the officer guarding the bonfire was forced to leave site at around 11.30pm on Saturday night due to a gang of youngsters numbering around ten began causing damage to his vehicle by banging his bonnet and then breaking his wing mirror.

“When he opened his car door to protest he was then seriously assaulted. He attended Elland police station and was in a state of shock so as you can appreciate he was unwilling to return to the bonfire site which I considered reasonable and instructed him to return home when he finished with the police,” added Mr Coton.