Wardens visit and warn residents over fireworks

Anyone planning to let off fireworks as part of their wedding could get a knock on their door

Neighbourhood wardens visit homes which are visibly hosting weddings to warn people against setting off fireworks, a council has said.

It is part of broader efforts to address issues around the misuse of fireworks in Bradford.

A petition launched last month, which urges the government to act on "lawless individuals" who "disrupt the peace" has gathered over 25,000 signatures.

Councillors in Bradford were told at a meeting this week the authority's leader had raised the issue with the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

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Susan Hinchcliffe said the discussion took place at the Labour Party conference.

"It is something that is very aggravating for all councillors, and for all residents across the district, no matter where you live," she said.

"It is something that frequently comes into my mailbox. So, it is definitely on our minds, and we’ll do all we can to alleviate the concerns of residents going forward.”

Her comments were in response to a question from Brendan Stubbs, who leads the council's Liberal Democrat group, about what the authority had done to combat the "menace of anti-social fireworks".

Leaflets like this, advertising wedding fireworks packages costing up to £2,000, are a regular sight in Bradford

A written report to the meeting said the community wardens were visiting homes across the city.

"They speak to the households and advise them about the impact fireworks have on the community," the report said.

"They also hand out leaflets on people’s legal responsibilities and the distressing impact of fireworks on others.”

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.

Wedding celebrations are often seen as a source of anti-social firework displays in the city.

Inayah Sher, who began the Peace For Our Community petition and has organised recent protests, said these displays do impact people's mental health.

“Many residents experience anxiety and depression due to ongoing wedding fireworks,” she said.

“We have heard stories from mothers living near wedding venues where fireworks are set off after midnight.

"One young mother approached a wedding venue at midnight to ask them to stop, only to be told it is part of the wedding package and they cannot comply.”

The council report also emphasised efforts to work with wedding venues to raise awareness of the negative impact of anti-social fireworks, particularly on vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled people, and pets.

The council has previously stated its desire to get tougher on the issue but has suggested its hands are effectively tied by current legislation.

The latest council report said the authority had been told by ministers that "adequate criminal and anti-social behaviour legislation is in place to tackle dangerous and nuisance use of fireworks".

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