Glasgow becomes second city to approve fireworks ban

Glasgow has become the second council in Scotland to approve a ban on fireworks in certain parts of the city around Bonfire Night.

The firework control zone (FCZ) will cover Pollokshields - an area that has faced the most serious firework-related anti-social behaviour, according to the council.

It will take effect from 1-10 November covering both public and private spaces such as gardens. Anyone setting off a private firework during this period will be committing a criminal offence.

A six-week public consultation will begin on Tuesday on the possible creation of a citywide FCZ in Glasgow.

The Scottish government gave local authorities new powers to designate FCZs in 2022 following a major riot in Dundee. The rules are enforced by Police Scotland.

Last month Edinburgh became the first Scottish local authority to approve a FCZ in Niddrie, Balerno, Seafield and Calton Hill following "unprecedented levels of violence" in previous years.

Glasgow has also experienced problems as recently as last November, when 20 youths fought and threw fireworks at one another in the Quarrywood Avenue area of Barmulloch.

Locals also filmed fireworks being set off on Leven Street, Pollokshields near houses and cars.

Thirteen applications for FCZs in Glasgow were reviewed by a panel of experts from emergency services following public consultation on the issue.

Four applications related to areas of Pollokshields were received and combined as one entry.

The review panel considered all applications with each decision based on crime data and council complaints statistics.

A map from the council shows the boundary line of the FCZ to include part of Maxwell Drive and St Andrew's Road, Darnley Street and Darnley Road, looping onto Titwood Road and Dumbreck Road near Pollok Country Park.

Councillor Elaine McSporran, Glasgow City Council's firework safety champion, said she hoped the fireworks ban would "bring some relief" to Pollokshields residents.

She said: "We hope the FCZ will support the hard work already being undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and the council in the city.

"We have had great support with this process within our communities."

Group commander Craig Campbell from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service added: “Bonfire Night is one of the busiest nights of the year for our crews and we will continue to work tirelessly to reduce anti-social behaviour in the run up to and during the event.

"As part of this work over the coming weeks across the city of Glasgow, our staff will visit young people in schools to talk to them directly about the dangers of the misuse of fireworks."