A BRADFORD district MP has written to the Home Secretary pushing for law changes to tackle the anti-social use of fireworks.
In her letter to Yvette Cooper, Anna Dixon, Labour MP for Shipley, called for measures including reducing the legal decibel level and assessing the banning of the most disruptive categories of fireworks.
The MP told the Home Secretary about the correspondence she has had with dozens of people in the Shipley area about the impacts fireworks have on their lives, such as preventing them from sleeping or causing emotional distress to them and their pets.
In her letter, she also advocated for introducing tougher and tighter licensing arrangements for fireworks sales - and strict penalties for those found to be in breach of the rules.
Under the current laws, it is illegal to let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am - except on Bonfire Night when the cut off is midnight. On Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year, the cut off is 1am.
It is also illegal to use fireworks in a public place or within 50 feet of a road, as well as in a public place without the landowner's permission.
"I have received many emails from constituents across Shipley telling me how noisy fireworks are affecting them.
"I have spoken to residents in Wrose and Baildon and heard how fireworks are preventing them from sleeping or causing emotional distress to them and their pets.
"The law is clear that fireworks should not disturb the peace after 11 pm.
"However, it is evident that some individuals are disregarding this.
"It has been two decades since the last set of regulations on fireworks, and it would be good to revisit this issue.
"It was the previous Labour Government that last took action on anti-social firework use, and I would support the new Government taking action on it again."
The Telegraph & Argus asked the Government for a response.
A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade said: "We understand the concern over the impact of fireworks noise on people and animals and the disturbance this can cause.
"That's why there is already a maximum legal noise level set for fireworks and is why we launched a new fireworks safety campaign this season to help people use them considerately."
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