IT WAS like the Gunfight at the OK Corral when a gang of "drunks" set off rockets in all directions in the town centre.

Pensioners, shoppers and families with children emptied the Town Hall Square to avoid being hit by a stray firework.

Town Hall security and library staff called the police and waited helplessly. They waited ... and waited ... until a posse of police cars finally turned up over an hour later.

But their relief turned to dismay when they realised the police were simply dispersing the gang and not arresting anyone.

"Is it not an offence to be drunk and disorderly in a public place? Is it not an offence to be drunk in charge of explosive materials? Is it not an offence to discharge missiles in an irresponsible manner and endanger public safety?

"Surely the police had enough to arrest these people," said Cllr Brian Jarvis, chairman of the Town Centre Risk Management Committee.

He said a police officer asked onlookers if they would be prepared to testify in court. They answered "yes."

The officer then asked if they would be prepared to identify the individuals who lit the rockets. The answer was "yes."

Then the officer asked if they would be prepared to testify that they had seen the individuals point the rockets in their direction. Again, the answer was "yes."

Peter Bowdler, member of the TCRMC, who was with Cllr Jarvis when the incident happened, said: "We ended up walking away in disgust. He kept upping the ante every time, and obviously did not want to make any arrests."

Cllr Jarvis was so disgusted he considered resigning as chairman of the town centre committee.

"I just couldn't see the point of being in partnership with the police on community safety if they weren't going to enforce it in a situation like this," he said.

He phoned police Superintendent Mary Vaisnys to make an official complaint, and other members of the public voiced complaints at their local police stations.

Cllr Jarvis added: "This was a disgraceful display of drunkenness that was not only frightening but dangerous. Fireworks were whizzing around everywhere and the explosions were so loud it sounded like a cowboy showdown.

"We have had all kinds of problems that reflect badly on the town centre, people being accosted, pensioners being sworn at, bottles and hypodermic needles strewn all around, library services being disrupted.

"But this incident on Friday has given the wrong message. If we can't control problems like this in broad daylight with witnesses who are prepared to testify in court, what chance do we have of clearing up other areas?"

He said many councillors now feel it is a waste of time to spend money on making the town centre more attractive when people are met with "disgusting" scenes like this.

An alcohol by-law giving police the power to arrest people drinking in the town centre was also useless if it wasn't going to be enforced, said Cllr Jarvis.

Chief Insp Woolley and Supt Mary Vaisnys were not available for comment this week, but a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said officers who called at the scene were not helped by members of the public.

He added: "Officers spoke to five people out of a group of approximately 20 who were suspected of setting off fireworks. Fireworks were seized, but no complaints were made at the time and no-one was arrested.

"Officers asked people standing around to point out the offenders, but people were unwilling to describe people who set off the fireworks."

An investigation into the incident is continuing.