Fireworks worries may bring city ban
BRADFORD: A ban on fireworks at events marking religious and family occasions could be introduced following a rise in “serious concerns” of anti-social behaviour.
Bradford Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been commissioned to carry out a wholesale review.
A BAN on fireworks at events marking religious celebrations and other family occasions could be introduced across a Yorkshire district following a rise in “serious concerns” of anti-social behaviour.
Bradford Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been commissioned to carry out a wholesale review of the use of fireworks “as a result of residents expressing serious concerns about anti-social behaviour involving fireworks across their neighbourhoods”.
The scrutiny review will consider the way fireworks are sold and distributed across the city and explore whether more prevention and enforcement measures could be taken.
Councillors will examine the use of fireworks around Bonfire Night and at religious and family occasions and scrutinise the inappropriate use of fireworks, including the impact upon people and animals.
Bradford Council is encouraging residents to come forward and voice any issues or concerns they may have regarding antisocial behaviour involving fireworks. Public views will be fed back to a wider information-gathering session.
The authority said in a statement: “Fireworks can be used responsibly by sensible adults, particularly at well-run public events at reasonable times of the day.
“In recent years however, large firework celebrations seem to be happening a lot more often throughout the year both at night and during the day, with loud noise causing distress to people, pets and other animals in the district.”
Coun Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “We want to make sure that everyone has a chance to inform this review so we can take the right steps to tackle the issue of anti-social firework behaviour.
“Most people behave responsibly with fireworks but we need to find the best way to tackle the minority who behave recklessly and cause problems for others.
“Anyone who thinks they can help should contact us and make their views known.”
Sainsbury’s became the first major supermarket to stop selling fireworks at its 2,300 stores across the UK, last year.
The company said it made its decision following a regular yearly review of its products.
Meanwhile, a petition to ban the public sale of fireworks to protect animals, children and people with a phobia attracted more than 300,000 signatures when it was launched in 2018.
In response to the petition at the time, the Government said it had no plans to change legislation.
Anyone who wishes to air their views on Bradford Council’s wholesale review on fireworks has until noon on March 31 to do so.
We need to find the best way to tackle the minority who behave recklessly. Coun Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety.