Protest over 'disruptive' late-night fireworks

Campaigners in in Centenary Square

A protest has been held in Bradford by campaigners calling for more to be done to prevent the use of fireworks late at night.

The event in Centenary Square was organised by Inayah Sher of the group Ban the Menace Fireworks, who said the noise was "affecting the mental health and wellbeing of people across Bradford".

She and about 20 others gathered at about 13:00 BST to voice concerns about the noise from fireworks, which she said was disrupting people's sleep and frightening pets.

Joining the group was Fozia Shaheen, the Labour councillor for Toller, who said laws needed to be put in place to make sure the anti-social use of fireworks was stopped.

Councillor Fozia Shaheen joined the protest in Centerary Square

She said: "It is absolutely selfish, and I believe we must push this agenda forward.

"There has to be laws that make sure that no late-night fireworks go off, and if they do go off, that people are held responsible.

"It is just not acceptable, enough is enough."

She said it was a cross-party issue and councillors needed to work together to lobby for change.

Joining the protest was Sohail Ahmed, from campaign group Bradford4Better.

He said: "This is a big issue and it seems to be getting worse.

"There hasn't been any change, so I think we have to keep up momentum with trying to provoke a response to this."

Shabaz Hussain said lack of sleep was causing problems for many households

Shabaz Hussain also attended with his daughter. He said letting off fireworks at all hours was "inconsiderate and offensive".

He called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to step in and work on issues that mattered to people.

"Peace is a vital part of every household, especially when it comes to winding down on a weekend," he added.

"My message to Keir Starmer is, you come and stay for a weekend with me in my neighbourhood, and you tell me whether you have had a decent, relaxing evening every night, and how much sleep you got.

"Unless you put yourself in my shoes, you won't know. The people in charge need to take charge."

Firework laws

In England and Wales, it is illegal to set off fireworks between 23:00 and 07:00, except on Bonfire Night when the cut-off is 00:00.

The window extends to 01:00 on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

For private use, fireworks can only be bought from registered seasonal sellers from 15 October to 10 November, from Boxing Day until New Year's Eve, and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

There are retailers registered to legally sell fireworks all year round.

The illegal sale of fireworks can result in a six-month prison sentence.

Councillor Kamran Hussain, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: "Despite the law being very clear that, with a few exceptions, fireworks should not be let off after 11pm, a minority of people choose to ignore this and cause problems.

"The council has, for several years, been working to get tougher laws on the use of fireworks in the district, something which can only be made possible by changes to national legislation.

"We have written to local MPs asking that they lobby the government for a reduction in the noise levels, a ban on the sale of more powerful fireworks and for new licensing laws, making it more difficult for the public to buy from wholesalers."

The council would continue to work with police, the fire service and council officers to tackle the issue at a local level, he said.

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