Oldham's late night fireworks headache - call made for review of legal powers

Angry local residents are getting fed up of the sound of late night fireworks going off

Oldham Labour has pledged to 'take action where it can' to control anti-social use of fireworks, and has called for a review of legal powers by Government following masses of complaints by residents about increasing firework noise late at night and in the early hours.

Fireworks can be used safely and considerately and add to celebrations enjoyed by many, but increasingly residents are concerned by anti-social firework noise.

There are legal restrictions on the sale of fireworks, including a minimum age for buying fireworks and limiting the dates and times they can be used but these are widely flouted or by-passed particularly by internet sellers.

The RSPCA also believes the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury, or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.

Oldham Council already works with the police and fire service to enforce the law, but it is difficult to pinpoint locations and catch people in action letting off illegal fireworks.

Councillor Steve Bashforth, Labour Councillor for Royton South, said: "Fireworks should be used safely and responsibly.

"Oldham Council has limited powers to control the illegal use of fireworks and we have looked at what more we could do.

"We will write again to all local events venues reminding them of the law and explore whether it is possible to insist that they are registered/licenced for the use of fireworks.

"We will introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.

"And we will require all public firework displays in Oldham to be advertised in advance, so residents can take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people."

Councillor Umar Nasheen, Labour Councillor for Medlock Vale, added: "The Government can do more to help us tackle this issue.

"Oldham Council will call on Government to change the law to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays; to review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used; to strengthen national restrictions governing how, when, where and how many fireworks can be bought, including online sales, and to restrict firework sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks associated with ‘pop up’ sellers who appear for short periods."

Current advice about fireworks is on Oldham Council’s website here

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