Ex-mayor in call for fireworks sales ban
AFORMER mayor of Rochdale has called for sales of fireworks to the public to be banned.
Ian Duckworth, who served as mayor in 2017/18, believes firework displays should only be allowed if they have been approved by local council committees.
After another year of worrying about the effects the loud bangs have on his dog, he fears his pet will one day die as a result.
It comes just days after the Observer spoke to a mother, from Milnrow, whose son was injured by an unprovoked firework attack and called for the same measures to be brought in.
Mr Duckworth, a Lowerplace resident, said: “My old dog has once again been terror stricken by the sound of fireworks which I believe are often used not for the enjoyment of the person lighting the blue touch paper but just to cause annoyance to others.
“I have even had to take my dog away on holiday to quieter places to avoid this annual anti-social barrage, this year it is not possible and even now my dog is still shaking, I fear that the noise will kill him one day.”
Having served as a Rochdale councillor for eight years, he now plans on writing to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to call on him to help restrict the use of fireworks.
Last month, Sainsbury’s became the first major supermarket to stop selling fireworks at its stores and he hopes others will follow suit.
Mr Duckworth added: “I hope Rochdale will support me in this serious matter. Now is the time to do it before the supermarkets make their plans for next year. When the bangs start again it will be too late.”
Teenager Joe Maskrey was struck on the leg after thugs in two cars threw fireworks at him as he waited for a bus on his own on Whitworth Road in Rochdale.
His mum, Joanne, now believes sales of fireworks should be restricted to organised displays or those with licenses.
Fire crews were called out to deal with a shed fire in Rochdale on a busy bonfire night for the service across Greater Manchester.
The Shaw Street fire was one of a number of incidents that Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service had to deal with.