Police have urged people not to attend one of the UK’s most popular bonfire nights due to overcrowding concerns – with more than 200 injuries reported at the event since 2019.
The East Sussex town of Lewes, sometimes referred to as the “bonfire capital of the world”, is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities every year on 5 November.
Despite the event being held for local residents, thousands of people descend on the town each year to watch the torch-lit processions that weave through the streets.
In recent years Sussex Police has warned people to stick to their local bonfire night to help prevent overcrowding in Lewes.
In a statement ahead of Tuesday’s celebration, the force said there remains “serious concerns” about the number of people who might attend the event and urged people from outside the town to stay away.
Image: Effigies Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg featured in 2019. Pic: Reuters
The force said 212 injuries have been reported at the event in the past five years, with 17 people taken to hospital.
Many of those were hurt on procession routes and by bangers and other fireworks.
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Sussex Police has said “tens of thousands” of people are expected in the town on Tuesday and the area around the war memorial is expected to become especially busy.
In order to try and reduce the number of visitors, trains will stop at Lewes and four of the surrounding towns from 5pm, while the last train back to London Victoria will leave at 3.54pm despite 5 November falling on a weekday this year.
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Visit Lewes has also urged people not to travel to the town for the bonfire night, saying that the “combination of dense crowds, flaming torches and firecrackers can be dangerous”.
Road closures will also be in place as part of the event.
Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges added: “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.
“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.”
Lewes District Council’s director of tourism, Becky Cooke, said those living outside of Lewes can watch a video live stream of the event on Rocket FM as a way to tune into the celebrations “without needing to add to the risk of overcrowding in the town”.
A husband has described how he watched in “helpless horror” as his wife was fatally hit by a van at a golf course after the vehicle was involved in a police chase.
Suzanne Cherry, 62, died in hospital four days after she was struck on the morning of 11 April, Staffordshire Police said.
Two patrol cars had been following the grey Nissan van in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
They stopped chasing the van when it came off the road and went up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.
In a statement released by police, Ms Cherry’s husband – who was not named – paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and said her death leaves an “unfillable void” in the lives of her family.
“While enjoying what should have been the safest of one of Suzanne’s many activities, I watched in helpless horror as the life of my beautiful wife and our future together was snatched away in an instant,” he said.
Ms Cherry’s husband said she had “an amazing and infectious zest for life”, adding: “Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle.
“Sue was loved, and will be painfully missed by her entire family and friends, we ask that our privacy at this difficult time be respected.”
Prince Andrew was among members of the royal family who attended the traditional Easter Sunday service in Windsor.
It is the second year in a row that the Duke of York has joined the King and Queen at St George’s Chapel, appearing to enter the chapel quickly after his eldest brother’s arrival.
Other members of the royal family, including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice and Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, also gathered outside the church.
Image: The Duke of York leaving St George’s Chapel. Pic: PA
William and Kate did not attend the annual service, deciding instead to spend time with their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, in Norfolk before they go back to school.
Crowds wished the King and Queen a Happy Easter as they left the chapel, with two children presenting Camilla with a bunch of flowers, before they were driven away.
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at St George’s chapel. Pic: PA
Image: The Princess Royal. Pic: PA
Andrew was seen glancing at a member of the crowd, who wished him a “Happy Easter” before the duke walked off with his ex-wife.
He disappeared from public life after stepping down from official duties in March 2020, following his explosive TV interview with BBC’s Newsnight.
Image: The Duchess of Edinburgh followed by Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Pic: PA
Image: Sarah Ferguson. Pic: PA
The Easter sermon is traditionally led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but was today led by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, from York Minster.
Mr Cottrell has temporarily taken over the role after Justin Welby announced he was stepping down in November last year, after an independent review found he “could and should” have reported decades-long abuse of men and young boys by his former friend, the barrister John Smyth QC.
Mr Cottrell has also apologised for his handling of the case.
Image: Pic: PA
Image: The Queen waves to crowds in Windsor. Pic: PA
King’s message of ‘faith, hope and love’
Last year’s Easter Sunday service was the King’s first major public appearance after he announced his cancer diagnosis.
The 76-year-old monarch is still receiving treatment for cancer, and last month, spent a short period of time in hospital after experiencing temporary side effects.
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King and Queen attend Maundy service
In his Easter message – a tradition he started when he was the Prince of Wales – Charles reflected on the examples of “great cruelty and great kindness” that “daily come before our eyes” – saying they should remind the world of the importance of the “virtues of faith, hope and love”.
He shared the message last week ahead of attending the annual Maundy service at Durham Cathedral, where he presented the Maundy recipients – 76 men and 76 women – with two purses: one red and one white, containing Maundy Money.
The ancient tradition traces back to the 13th century and is given to recipients in recognition of outstanding Christian service and work in their local communities.
Police are appealing for information after seven statues – including one of suffragette Millicent Fawcett – were daubed with graffiti during a trans rights rally in London.
The Metropolitan Police said the criminal damage took place during the protest in Parliament Square, Westminster, on Saturday.
Thousands of people had gathered for an “emergency demonstration” following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this week on the definition of a woman.
The words “Trans rights are human rights” were written on a statue of South African statesman Jan Christian Smuts.
Image: Graffiti on the statue of South African statesman Jan Christian Smuts in Parliament Square. Pic: PA
The Met Police said officers were trawling CCTV footage and no arrests have been made as yet.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said: “Criminal damage and vandalism like this has no place on the streets of London and spoils the area for locals and those visiting.
“While the police support the public’s right to protest, criminality like this is senseless and unacceptable. We are pursuing this and will take action against those responsible.”
Image: Graffiti on the statue of Millicent Fawcett. Pic: PA
Mr Bell said there were plans to remove the graffiti “but this requires specialist equipment and we are confident this will be done shortly”.
“We are keen to speak to those who saw anything on the day and urge anyone with information, pictures or footage to come forward,” he added.
The force has not shared details of which seven statues were defaced. Parliament Square is home to 12 statues of political figures including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi.
Image: Thousands of protesters joined the rally on Saturday. Pic: Daniel Bregman
The Met said it was also dealing with a number of complaints from the public about signs and images shared on social media that were reportedly displayed at the protest.
The force said while officers were investigating the displayed signs and images, they had so far proved to be from historic events, did not take place in London, or did not constitute a criminal offence.