Thousands respond on fireworks
THOUSANDS of people have responded to a government consultation on nuisance fireworks.
The Scottish Government has asked Scots to answer a series of questions on their concerns, after a violent Bonfire Night in Pollokshields last year saw riot police battling men with fireworks on the street.
MORE than 12,000 people have responded to a Government consultation to assess the impact of fireworks on communities.
Campaigners argue that fireworks can be dangerous, distressing or annoying, especially on Bonfire Night.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined more than 200 people at a community meeting in Glasgow’s Pollokshields area last year after riot police were called to disperse a group setting off industrial fireworks.
The Scottish Government opened a consultation last Sunday to deal with what it said was a “concerning” amount of dangerous and anti-social behaviour.
While most legislation on the sale of fireworks is managed from Westminster, the Scottish Government says it would “use the outcomes of this consultation to inform ongoing discussions about what changes are needed”.
The consultation will listen to the experiences of Scottish people before any new legislation is drawn up.
Resident and campaigner Danny Shields shared a video on social media that showed men in balaclavas setting off fireworks in Pollokshields.
He said: “I am heartened that there has been a large response to the consultation on fireworks.
“It is good to know that Pollokshields community is not alone in living with this problem, and that thousands across Scotland are calling for further action.
“I would urge everyone to submit their views and ideas.
“Fireworks are a modern menace, particularly the large industrial-sized fireworks which cause fear and alarm throughout Scotland.
“So while we welcome this consultation communities like ours in Pollokshields expect action on the sale, enforcement and policing of fireworks in place by next bonfire night – so none of us have to live through our the chaos and fear again.”
Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham said: “We’ve had an excellent response to fireworks consultation in its first week, with more than 12,000 people having given us their views on what they think needs to be done to ensure fireworks can continue to be enjoyed safely and responsibly.
“This response demonstrates the importance of this issue to people and communities across Scotland. Public events are being held across Scotland and I encourage people to come along to events in their area and join in the discussion.”
The consultation asks Scots how they usually enjoy fireworks, how big display audiences are, and whether they have seen fireworks being used in a dangerous or irresponsible way.
Although laws on the sale of fireworks is reserved to the UK Government, the consultation also asks Scots if they feel firework sales should be more closely regulated, or if they would welcome fireworks being banned entirely.
The consultation is open online until May 13.