Response to call for fireworks law changes described as 'pathetic'

A Bradford Council committee discussed the district’s fireworks blight at a meeting on Thursday, with members arguing it was an issue that plagued Bradford all year long, not just on Bonfire Night.

A review into fireworks completed by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee last year had highlighted how local police forces and Councils were left powerless to deal with the issue until new legislation on fireworks was passed by Government.

The review suggested that Government be pushed to make changes, and Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe wrote to Bradford’s five MPs asking them to do this.

Thursday’s meeting was given an update on the progress of the review, which included a response from Jane Hunt, then Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets.

The response from Ms Hunt, which was passed on through Shipley MP Philip Davies last year, said: “I would like to reassure Ms Hinchcliffe that the Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously. There is a comprehensive regulatory framework already in place that strikes the right balance for people to enjoy fireworks, whilst aiming to reduce risks and disturbances to people, animals, and property.

“Existing legislation already controls the sale, availability, and use of fireworks. There is a 120- decibel noise limit on the fireworks available to consumers and this maximum level is kept under constant review by the Government to ensure it is still fit for purpose.”

At Thursday’s meeting Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey) said: “The reply from the minister is pathetic and insulting.

“We asked for action, and the response from the minister just pointed out she had done some research and that fireworks were loud.”

The meeting was told that a number of options were looked at to tackle the problem, including public space protection orders that would allow police and Council Wardens to issue heavier penalties to people who set off fireworks.

Michael Churley, assistant area co-ordinator, said that it was decided not to go ahead with this, adding: “Unless we had a massive resource out there every night who were able to catch people in the act, it is very difficult to get enough evidence.”

Fireworks in Little Germany (Image: T&A)

Jeanette Howarth, Environmental Health Officer, told members she had recently driven round Keighley in the evening to try and identity the source of anti-social firework launches.

She explained how difficult it was to try to identify the source of a noise that could be over in seconds, adding: “Very few firework displays last long enough to get a team to find the location.

“And you never know when they will be set off. The last few nights in Keighley we have had nothing. We can’t have officers sitting in cars all night waiting for a firework to go off in that area.”

Discussing whether the Council could get tougher with licenced fireworks shops in Bradford, Mr Churley said: “We don’t think the problem fireworks are coming from reputable sources. When Trading Standards has done test purchases they didn’t find any premises selling to under age people. It is not licenced shops that are the problem.”

He said new laws in Scotland that prevent shops selling fireworks after 6pm and reducing the amount of fireworks people can legally buy could be one solution – but laws would have to be changed by Government.

Councillor Sarfraz Nazir (Lab, Manningham) said: “This is all year round – every day, despite our best efforts. The problem seems to be getting worse.”

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “As it stands the Government isn’t going to change anything.

“Given one District Conservative MP was cut in half by his own Government when he asked for a few simple tweaks to the laws, I seriously doubt they’ll listed to members of another party.”

He was referring to an exchange in Parliament in late 2021 when Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore (Cons) asked for “an urgent debate in Government time to discuss the licensing provisions around the sale of fireworks and have a frank discussion around how local enforcement can clamp down on this anti-social behaviour?"

In response, then Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “I think fireworks are a little bit of harmless fun, people enjoy them and we shouldn't take every enjoyment out of people's lives with endless licensing and regulations."

Members voted to attempt to urge groups such as the Local Government Association to give more weight to their push for national law change.