The viewing platform for people with disabilities was full on one night which left a mum having to stand throughout using a crutch for support
One of London’s biggest and most popular firework displays has been branded ‘dangerous’ for how ‘really claustrophobic’ people felt waiting in crowds with ‘no personal space’. Battersea Park Fireworks took over the skies across the weekend (Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2) in celebration of Bonfire Night but some people in attendance feel it was not safe this year.
The event in Battersea Park has a reported capacity of 50,000 each night and while the ‘cute’ fireworks displays were praised for being ’10/10′, some people say they will not be returning in future years because it was “way too crowded” with the display starting 30 minutes later than advertised. Rosey Benz, an attendee at the Saturday display told MyLondon: “The fireworks were nice but everything else, as far as I’m concerned, felt like it was dangerous, especially when you see people with babies and kids.”
Rosey described the large amounts of crowds which only grew whilst waiting for the display to commence. “All I could think in the back of my mind was ‘I’m so claustrophobic, something could happen and I don’t feel safe’. So to think people were there with their kids, oh my goodness, I could not do that.”
The event was run by Wandsworth Council, and non-refundable and non-transferable tickets costing £14.20 promising the fireworks across the two day stretch to be ‘Bigger, better and more spectacular than ever’. Rosey posted a TikTok to share her concerns about the way the event was organised with dozens of people commenting in agreement with their own views on the ‘overpriced’ food and drink as well as other issues.
In the video Rosey said: “I’ve been told by friends this place is a must go, especially on a date…[but] there was no such thing as personal space. That was not a thing.” She added: “The fireworks were supposed to start at 8.30pm but it didn’t start until like 9pm. So we were out there in the middle of a field, crowded to the brim with people waiting.”
Complimenting the display itself Rosey said ‘I did like the fireworks, [they were] so cute. I give it 10/10’ but on whether she would go back next year she added: “I’m afraid not. It’s just way, way too crowded. No personal space. I felt really claustrophobic.”
In preparation for the event Rosey got in touch with the organisers to make them aware of her mother’s disability requirements, only to be told two days before the event the disability viewing platform was full. She said: “[When at the display] I walked past the viewing platform and it is not big enough, in my opinion, in terms of space for the person with the disability in addition to the carer.”
Her mum ended up having to stand throughout the display with a crutch for support as she couldn’t use her walking stick that turns into a chair. Rosey said: “Unfortunately in the field you can’t use the chair as there are a lot of tall people out there, so she had to stand with her crutch. If she was able to get access to the viewing platform then it would have been a safer environment for her, because it got crazy.”
Online, Londoners took to X before and after the event to share their frustration at the organisers and council questioning why they would host two consecutive displays extremely close to the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. Organisations such as the Firework Campaign have been asking the government for changes in firework legislation since 2013.
The group posted back in September 2025 about their experience contacting the council and hearing nothing back on how they will protect the already traumatised dogs and cats at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Natalie Ingham, Canine Behaviourist & Training Manager at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said to MyLondon: “Fireworks can be a terrifying ordeal for a lot of cats and dogs as well as other animals.”
According to research conducted by Opinion Matters more than 57 per cent of UK cat or dog owners have cancelled plans to look after their pets during firework-heavy nights like Bonfire Night, Diwali or New Year’s Eve. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims to share tips on how owners can help their pets deal with distractions by using toys, music and TV in addition to diffusers and supplements.
MyLondon contacted the organisers of Battersea Park Fireworks for comment for the concerns raised but has not received a response.
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