Horrific side to family festival as fireworks weaponised by thugs

MANY Scots look forward to enjoying a fireworks display as part of Bonfire Night or Diwali celebrations. Such traditional festivals bring communities together and attending organised displays in a safe environment can be a fabulous family experience.

Sadly, there is another side to how fireworks are being used in some of Scotland’s communities.

Through my meetings with community safety partners over the past year, in particular police and firefighters, I have heard first-hand about their less positive experiences of Bonfire Night.

November 5 has long been one of the busiest nights of the year for our blue-light services, and I was concerned to hear how some of our emergency workers had been physically assaulted or verbally abused when trying to do their job.

Safety must be paramount. The use of fireworks as a means of inflicting injury is abhorrent, reckless and utterly unacceptable.

Scotland’s courts have extensive powers to deal with such criminality. The Emergency Workers Act enables penalties of up to 12 months in prison, a £10,000 fine, or both. For more serious attacks, charges such as assault can be used, meaning offenders face tougher penalties.

It’s not just dangerous use of fireworks which is a problem. Inconsiderate behaviour, such as letting off fireworks outside approved places and periods, ignores the impact they can have on people, pets and wildlife.

This week I will be updating parliament on our action plan to ensure fireworks are used safely and appropriately. This will be taken forward in partnership with communities, key partners and the firework industry.

We will work to ensure our emergency services are as wellprepared as possible – and that robust action can be taken against anyone who puts lives at risk on Scotland’s streets.