A bonfire night warning has been issued in an East Sussex town, with police urging Britons to avoid the “bonfire capital in the world” amid “serious concerns” of overcrowding.
Lewes Bonfire Night – infamous for its effigies of politicians and celebrities over the years, including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg – attracts thousands of visitors each November to watch the annual processions through the town’s streets.
However, over the past several years, Sussex police has advised people to attend a more local bonfire night to avoid “serious concerns” on the size of Tuesday’s crowds.
They reported that the event has seen 212 injuries and 17 people taken to hospital in the past five years, as many get hurt during the procession, as well as by fireworks.
Over the past several years, Sussex police has advised people to attend a more local bonfire night to avoid “serious concerns” on the size of Tuesday’s crowds
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Sussex Police has said that “tens of thousands” of people are expected on November 5, highlighting that the area around the war memorial is expected to become extremely busy.
Trains will stop at Lewes and nearby areas from 5pm on the night, while trains to London Victoria will leave just before 4pm – even though commuters will still need to travel back home that evening.
Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: “Unfortunately, each year the event is held we do make arrests, including for offences such as assaults (including on police officers), criminal damage, and possession of drugs.
“This is clearly not acceptable.”
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“Our officers will be supporting partner agencies and Lewes District Council on the night to ensure public safety, and we are determined to ensure that this is an event everyone can enjoy safely.”
Additionally, information centre Visit Lewes has warned of the dangerous “combination of dense crowds, flaming torches and firecrackers” throughout the night.
The event will also see many road closures across the town.
For those living outside of Lewes, District Council’s director of tourism Becky Cooke has said that a video live stream of the event on Rocket FM will allow individuals to watch the event “without needing to add to the risk of overcrowding in the town.”
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As the night is set to involve six separate Bonfire Societies in the area, which all run individual processions, traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks, many are attracted to the event for its sheer magnitude.
It became particularly famous for burning effigies of controversial figures across politics and showbusiness.
Last year, the effigy depicted former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was depicted on a train, which had the face of RMT union boss Mick Lynch, in Lewes.
Previously, the event proceeded the effigies of the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg through the narrow streets back in 2019.
