Nuisance fireworks bought from 'Manchester warehouse and car boots'

A new report into nuisance firework use in Bradford highlights the difficulty in policing an act that can be over in a split second, mostly takes place at night and leads to all evidence going up in smoke.

And it claims officers have found it “impossible” to gain enough evidence to bring people to justice.

In 2021, Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee completed a review into firework use in the District.

It found that new, National legislation was needed to make any changes to how fireworks are sold and used.

It did make recommendations, including asking local MPs to lobby for change from Government, and to look into introducing Public Space Protection Orders through the District – allowing tougher sanctions to be placed on people who use fireworks in an anti-social manner.

Fireworks found in a Little Germany car park in October (Image: T&A)

On Thursday, members of the Committee will be given an update on what has been done since then.

It says many fireworks are not bought from local shops, making the supply difficult to control, and that it is difficult to catch offenders in the act.

And the one response from Government so far claims there is a ‘comprehensive regulatory framework already in place’ to deal with firework misuse – seemingly ruling out any new legislation.

Referring to a suggestion in the review that planning rules could be used to prevent the sale of fireworks to the wrong people, the update that will be given to members claims many of the fireworks that are used illegally are purchased from businesses outside of Bradford.

Others are sold by unlicenced vendors, either via social media or from the back of vehicles.

The report says: “In looking into the matter locally, it is evident that we have very little control over the sale of fireworks through retail premises.

“Many fireworks are being purchased from large specialist providers/warehouses in Manchester and other parts of West Yorkshire, with some being ‘sold on’ illegally through social media and ‘car boots’.”

Fireworks found in a Little Germany car park in October (Image: T&A)

One of the suggestions made by the review was that the Council “explore considering the planning and licensing rules for existing and new events venues, in relation to the use of fireworks on their premises.”

But members will be told that policing these conditions would be difficult, with the report saying: “(Officers) have conditioned event venues in the past - but the challenge has been with enforcement given we cannot police venues and, in most circumstances, it is too late once they are let off to confirm where they were launched from.”

On the suggestion that Public Space Protection Orders be developed to clamp down on firework use, the report says: “To consider a PSPO may prove to be difficult as we would need to identify the perpetrators in question - the person ‘lighting the blue touch paper’ - and, therefore, reach the location before the fireworks end.

“We have attempted to pursue this but found it impossible to track locations and identify individuals in time to enforce. We have worked with the Police, who also have powers of enforcement, but they are also faced with the same logistical problems and the evidence needed to issue a fine or secure convictions.”

It said the District’s Anti-social Behaviour Strategic Partnership discussed using PSPOs at a meeting last Summer, but decided not to move ahead with this.

The partnership found “Enforcing an order would be extremely costly – for example, to enforce restrictions would require a significant patrolling presence and may encourage further anti-social behaviour.”

They added: "A PSPO Fixed Penalty Notice cannot be issued against a young person. The only effective remedy is an anti-social behaviour injunction which can be costly and require significant evidence.”

The report concludes: “Existing laws make it impossible to control the supply of fireworks entering the district and the difficulties in identifying perpetrators ‘lighting the blue touch paper’ make it operationally challenging to use existing enforcement capabilities.”

One solution it does suggest is working to educate people over the dangers of firework use.

Partnerships between the Council, emergency services, community groups and schools has helped reduce anti-social behaviour around bonfire night around some areas.

The report adds: “We are working with community-based partners to develop a campaign to start in the Summer to raise awareness of the nuisance caused by loud fireworks and seek to begin to persuade more people to not run anti-social or illegal mini-firework displays.”