Call for law change over nuisance fireworks

Bradford has been plagued by fireworks being used at all times of the day and night, an official said

A change of the law is needed to prevent the anti-social use of fireworks in Bradford, a senior council official has said.

Noreen Akhtar, from Bradford Council, said the city had been plagued for years with rockets and other fireworks being let off at all times of the day and night.

She said existing legislation had not kept up with the increase in both availability and power of fireworks to the general public, and called "not just for a change in the law but for a full, comprehensive review so we are able to respond".

The Department for Business and Trade said public safety was a priority and councils and the police had the powers to "protect the public".

Ms Akhtar said a review of the existing legislation should be carried out to look at whether Trading Standards officers needed more powers in terms of "who is able to sell, who is able to import" fireworks.

It should also consider if there needed to be a renewed examination of the size and power of fireworks permitted to be sold to the public," she said.

"I believe the last time fireworks legislation was looked at was near enough two decades ago and things have changed quite considerably," Ms Akhtar added.

Noreen Akhtar says legislation has not kept up with what is happening on the streets of Bradford

Ghazala Saleem, 55, from Heaton in Bradford, said she had been woken in the early hours by fireworks being set off by people celebrating weddings in the same street.

"I understand people want to celebrate, but there's got to be some kind of consideration and respect," she said.

"It's torturous for the poor animals. From their point of view, it's like bombs going off."

Ms Saleem said it was also about considering one's neighbours and everyone was entitled to a "good night's sleep".

Ghazala Saleem says everybody has a right to a decent night's sleep

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 sellers from 15 October to 10 November, from Boxing Day until New Year's Eve and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

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

A spokesperson for the Department of Trade and Business said: "Public safety is our priority and that’s why we are working to soon launch a new fireworks safety campaign."

They added that where local issues with fireworks were identified, "councils and the police have powers to protect the public from misuse and harm".

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