Late night Diwali fireworks spark complaints

The law allows fireworks to be set off until 01:00 during Diwali

A former city councillor in Leicester has said the lack of an organised Diwali fireworks events has led to more people setting them off at home this year.

Rita Patel, who lives in Humberstone, said she heard fireworks going off as late as 03:00 during the five-day Hindu festival.

The council has previously held an official display and light switch-on event, but they were cancelled this year over safety fears.

Leicester City Council said it was advised to end the events due to "potentially dangerous crowd massing" over the past two years.

Social media has been awash with people both supporting and criticising the way some have celebrated Diwali over the past week.

Leicestershire Police said it dealt with 62 firework-related incidents on Monday and Tuesday.

A spokesperson said 27 of these were in the East Leicester area of the city between 17:00 on Monday, and 01:00 BST on Tuesday.

The lack of stage performances and fireworks did not put people off from visiting Belgrave Road on Monday

The law says you must not set off fireworks between 23:00 and 07:00, except for Bonfire Night - when the cut-off is midnight - and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut-off is 01:00.

Ms Patel said: "Fireworks were still going off at two or three in the morning around here.

"Because it only happens on the odd occasion, it's not a big deal, but because people have pets and young children, they were having a real difficult time.

"There is a law, but I think it's a question of community application.

"I think most people don't realise - particularly in newly settled communities - that actually there are restrictions.

"I think in Belgrave in particular, the fact that we didn't have a central firework display in the recreation ground, I think that had a lot to do with people buying their own fireworks and doing their own displays in their backyards."

'Significant concern'

BBC Radio Leicester was contacted by many residents unhappy about the number of fireworks being let off at home.

One, called Rashmi, said: "It was absolutely ridiculous. It's the minority that are not sticking by the regulations.

"Fireworks should be done by professionals in a controlled area like a park, not back gardens and front yards where there are cars parked."

Another caller, from Knighton, said: "I've not been able to sleep. The other day they went on until half past two in the morning and I was still listening to them, tossing and turning."

A third listener, from Spinney Hill, said: "I have no problem with the fireworks, absolutely none at all.

"It's fun, we don't say the same thing when it comes to Bonfire Night."

While there was no official lights switch-on event, the lights were turned on in the run-up to the festivities

Leicester's Diwali celebrations attracted about 50,000 people in 2024, prompting concerns about overcrowding.

The council's safety advisory group held meetings to decide on the future of the events before announcing this year's celebrations would be scaled back.

Graham Callister, the city council's head of festivals, events and cultural policy, said: "We are being advised by our emergency service partners and event security providers that we have reached the point where the growing crowds and sheer volume of people attending is causing significant concern about public safety.

"Scaling back on event infrastructure and activity means there will be the additional space needed - and more importantly less congestion - to safely welcome the crowds that want to celebrate on Belgrave Road."