Plan in place to tackle anti-social fireworks

A crackdown on anti-social fireworks in part of West Yorkshire will take place ahead of Bonfire Night.

Calderdale Council said it would work with the police and fire service to educate, engage and enforce when it comes to celebrations.

The authority said it had received a string of complaints about fireworks during the summer, some of which had been let off after 23:00 BST.

Officials believe those were being used during wedding celebrations in the area.

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.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, cabinet member Danielle Durrans confirmed most complaints were during October and November.

However, there had been several complaints in summer and analysis suggested they related to weddings in the Park and Warley wards.

She said officers had identified premises where weddings were held and had "engaged with residents around the law that governs fireworks".

Enforcement challenges

Councillor Abigail White said this was an ongoing problem in the Warley ward and asked cabinet members what was being done to ensure the rules were being respected.

Durrans said there were enforcement challenges including the unpredictability of timings and precise locations where fireworks were being let off, in addition to the resources needed to witness and enforce.

She said this meant intelligence and early intervention through engagement with residents was vital.

“As Bonfire Night does approach, the council will be putting in place a multi-agency plan involving the police and the fire service, as well as our youth services and community organisations, in order to address the anti-social behaviour that is linked to fireworks.

“The plan is based on the principles of education, engagement and enforcement and was successful last year in limiting the number of incidents relating to fireworks and fires,” she said.

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