Fire chief calls for fireworks review

Neal Keeling

November 05, 2008

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Cllr Paul Shannon, fire authority chairman

A FIRE service chief has called for a government review of fireworks law.

Coun Paul Shannon, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire Authority, made the call after new figures revealed the north west is the worst region in Britain for firework injuries.

The authority will consider a report in the New Year on the impact of new laws from 2004 to tighten up fireworks sales.

The M.E.N has campaigned for six years for a ban on over-the-counter firework sales, except for licensed displays.

A boy from Salford became one of the latest casualties when he suffered serious injuries last month when a powerful firework was thrown over a wall and exploded next to him. Cole Chapman, 10, spent a week in a hospital burns unit with injuries to his chest and hand.

Coun Shannon, a Liberal Democrat who ousted former chairman Fred Walker this year, said: "It is time for a review of this issue.

"The new legislation which came in 2004 has had time to bed in. We are now nearly in 2009 and it is appropriate that we look at how the legislation is working.

"It did achieve some good - restricting the sale of fireworks to a specific time period, restricting noise levels, and making it illegal to sell them to any one under 18. But I think a parliamentary debate should take place as well."

The latest figures available from the government for firework injuries are from 2005. Coun Shannon said: "Even when the figures are so old it is shocking that out of 991 injuries nationally, 179 - 18 per cent - were in the north west and 70 in Greater Manchester."

The Firework Act, introduced in 2004, made it an offence to let off fireworks in a public place and made it illegal for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks - except sparklers - in the street. It is also illegal for fireworks to be sold without a licence, or to anyone aged under 18. The most powerful fireworks can now only be bought by professionals.

Home secretary at the time, David Blunkett, said: "If people don't play the game and co-operate, we should be prepared to legislate again." But a spokesman for Fireworks International, a well-respected supplier based in Derby, said: "Fireworks get the blame, but it is the persons using them, not the fireworks, to blame.

"The legislation has been in place for years now to prevent people carrying fireworks in the street, but the police don't use it - they can't be bothered."

The M.E.N asked GMP for figures relating to the number of people prosecuted for being under 18 and in possession of fireworks and for throwing fireworks in the street in the last 12 months. However, the force was unable to provide figures.

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Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (05/11/2008 at 07:31)

I agree it's not the fireworks that cause the problems it's the people who use them that do. The police are lazy and are inadequate at enforcing the laws provided and powers given to tackle fireworks nuisance;the Govt should punish the policeforces inadequacy to use their powers to tackle juvenile firework misuse and nuisance, people who use fireworks properly for the sensible legitimate purposes of entertainment shouldn't have that enjoyment taken away from them because the idiots are spoiling it for the sensible majority-the law should better tackle and punish the idiots;stuff the children's and parents humanrights if they get punished/jailed, they should think about the humanrights of others who shouldn't have to endure their stupid and ridiculous behaviours. If a retail sales ban/private use ban on fireworks came into force a healthy blackmarket in poor quality untested uncertified dangerous potentially lethal possibly deadly chinese/foreign firework imports would quickly fill the void where legal shop sales/mailorder sales of safer BS7114 compliant importer/distributor regulated retail fireworks left off that would be extremely difficult to control/regulate and police, and it could also encourage illegal homemanufacture of homemade fireworks and/or devices from household substances/or the illegal homemanufacture of fireworks and/or device thru tampering with legal pyrotechnics such as distress flares/birdscarers/theatricaldevices etc and mixing the powders together with the dangers that the mixtures could accidentally ignite or explode while being prepared causing explosions/housefires/injury/death etc OR the finished devices could easily malfunction while being lit OR while they are going off injuring the firer or people watching the dangerous homemade devices. Those two circumstances I mention are exactly the reasons why the Govt/UK firework importers and distributors/Explosives Industry Group and British Fireworks Association are against a total ban on the retailsale/mailorder sale and private use of retail consumer fireworks. The fire service chief of gmfr should think carefully about the dangerous consequences that will arise from a sales/privateuse ban on consumer retail fireworks. BS7114 consumer retail fireworks don't cause problems when used properly according to their instructions and when used in accordance with those provide a safe form of family entertainment;that tradition should NOT be allowed to die because of this killjoy spoilsport.

A Voice From The North (05/11/2008 at 08:06)

Why not take every British tradition away from us?

We don't need a nanny state which controls every aspect of our lives.

People who are hurt by fireworks are normally the ones misusing them, otherwise they are accidents or crimes…. Crimes are a problem of society crumbling due to government incompetence.

The real answer to the firework problem is ID checks on every sale and higher fines if businesses are caught selling to the underage, also criminal action toward those caught misusing the fireworks.

A total ban is a blanket solution which leaves everybody a loser… why should we let the criminals and idiots take away what makes us British?

PW, Manchester (05/11/2008 at 08:59)

Yes it is people who are at fault, not necessarily the fireworks on their own. But a publicly-funded service has to rush to the scene and pick up the pieces. I think they have better things to do. This man knows what he is talking about.

umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (05/11/2008 at 09:18)

I think he is talking sense, so let us start at the bottom, those who sell fireworks, the actual person should be licensed.

Now let me clear this up straight away, I said the person that sells the firework should be licensed and not only the owner of manager of the shop.

This way they can be fined or whatever for selling fireworks those under the age of 18 straight away without the necessary, I am sorry I will retrain the staff.

cjs73 (05/11/2008 at 15:28)

"It's the persons using them, not the fireworks to blame" said the fireworks international spokesperson. Of course it is, fireworks are inanimate, but then so are guns, hand grenades, landmines and nuclear bombs. I'm sure if they were available over the counter, fireworks international would supply them too.
I believe fireworks should be banned from general sale and if the consequences are that more illegal fireworks are imported than are currently then efforts to stop that should be increased accordingly.
I'd also ban bonfires on bonfire night, unless they were licenced. The fire service spend all night chasing around from one shed fire to the next because people irresponsibly build fires in their gardens and on public land and consequently fire cover is effectively reduced meaning response times to other incidents, like a car crash for example, are much longer and possibly fatal . If everyone were responsible in society then fine, but they're not so we have to make laws that are appropriate to the society we live in. A lot of people wont like my ideas but I dont like the smoke from your bonfire blowing up my road. There are enough organised bonfire and fireworks displays on offer, get to one of them if you want to enjoy Guy Fawlkes night.

Retired, Wigan (05/11/2008 at 16:25)

"Remember, Remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot" We all should know the little ditty but what are we actually remembering? November 5th is only known nowadays as bonfire night, a time to light a fire and set off fireworks (or detonate explosives that are named/classed as fireworks). If we are to remember November 5th then this should be taught during the History lessons in schools. For anyone interested the event I seem to remember it occurred in November 5th 1605 and scheduled for the State opening of Parliament. After a tip-off Guy Fawkes however was captured in the basements with the gunpowder and he and his fellow conspiritors were eventually caught and hanged. So basically we are celebrating the failed assasination of a King (I believe it was James 1st I will stand corrected). Prior to Rememberance Sunday we all buy and proudly wear replica Poppy's as those seen on Flanders Fields by one morning by a surgeon during the 1st World War. By doing this we remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and by observing 2 minutes silence as a mark of respect, this fact is reaffirmed. We don't however remember the fallen by digging a trench and firing bullets and shells at each other. Although I feel there is no need to remember the failed 1605 plot, I do acknowledge the tradition in the Country. To this end although tradition shold be upheld, there is a no need to say "It's always been done this way". We need to get it in perspective. Organised and licenced firework displays should be the only facility to to use Fireworks, and no Fireworks should be available for purchase 'over the counter'.

cjs73 (05/11/2008 at 17:17)

I agree with retired, Wigan.
I posted a comment at around 3.30pm but it hasn't shown up. It wasn't offensive or inappropriate so why isn't it here MEN? I made some excellent points but dont have the time now to write it again as I'm going out ( not to a bonfire, although if I were it'd be to a licenced one).

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (06/11/2008 at 11:17)

It would very well happen cjs73 where an illegal healthy blackmarket in the trade and sale of dangerous chinese/foreign import firework sales would replace legal shopsales/mailorder sales of importer regulated BS7114 retail fireworks which you would NOT be able to easily stop and prevent. People will just get these and use them in defiance of any retailsale/privateuse ban on consumer retail fireworks risking injury and even death when setting them off or while they go off. Also retired and cjs73,that IS exactly one of the reasons WHY the Govt/firework importers/EIG/RoSpA/British Fireworks Association DON'T agree with a retailsales/privateuse ban on fireworks to the public. I had a super private display last night with:
ESCO Festival Selection Box of display fireworks,
ESCO Celebration Selection Box of display fireworks,
Weco Fire Pack selection box of garden and display fireworks,
Men Shun Demolition Display Roman Candle Barrage Pack,
Men Shun Seismic Strike Display Roman Candle Barrage Pack,
TNT Six Foot Sparkle Display Wheel and brightstar carnival selction box of display fireworks AND it was an enjoyable show for me and friends so there killjoy!

chenny banana, longsight (06/11/2008 at 11:39)

i was surprised this year as there werent too many fireworks going off! and everyone went to bed at 10pm! must have been lucky. but really, they should not be sold at all i dont know why people are 'celebrating' this night anyway..just because someone tried to blow up parliament? and why are these kids who misuse fireworks not called 'terrorists' eh? they are trying to blow others up aswell?!!

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (06/11/2008 at 11:57)

Well chenny I REFUSE to go to organised bonfires and fireworks displays and much prefer to hold my own private event because of these reasons:
(a)Overpriced entry fees,
(b)Exhorbitant prices for food drink and fairground rides,
(c)Muddy fields,
(d)Overcrowded viewing areas,
(e)Control freak stewards,
(f)And unpleasant rude behaviour by others trying to push you out of your viewing position and/or vantage point!!!

Bean B4, manchester (06/11/2008 at 12:02)

The sale of foreworks should be outlawed on Health & Safety grounds alone. Plus, in my opinion, it is offensive to continue to celebrate the hideous torture and murder of Roman Catholic freedom fighters.

If the Guy Fawkes story had involved an attempted islamic takeover of parliament, I feel certain there would be outrage if people commemorated it every year, so why are the feelings of Roman Catholics so disregarded?

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (06/11/2008 at 13:50)

BeanB4 what has Guy Fawkes got to do with islamic terrorism? Nothing so keep that to yourself-that's got nothing to do with it, you made that up you PC dogooding spoilsporting killjoyer fuddyduddy nannystatist!!! Also you fail and conveniently choose to ignore and realise the fact that the Govt/firework importers/explosive and fireworks trade bodies of the UK and RoSpA are dead against ANY ban on the retailsale and privateuse of fireworks, because of illegal blackmarkets in unsafe dangerous import fireworks and illegal homemanufacture/use of home made fireworks and/or homemanufacture of fireworks and/or pyrotechnic devices from household substances or legal pyrotechnic devices such as distress flares/theatrical pyrotechnics.

Reginald Dodd (06/11/2008 at 17:23)

The gentleman you refer to as a Fire Chief is ONLY a civilian Counciler Not a uniformed officer in a well respected public service and is very misleading.
However as a retired uniformed fire service officer I am in complete agreement with him. If the fire & Rescue service had the back up of the police who have the responsibility of enforcing part of the fireworks act 2004 which prevents persons carrying fire works in a public place and apprehended these idiots and prosecuted them even more injuries/deaths would be prevented.

chenny banana, longsight (06/11/2008 at 21:23)

i know muslims committ terrorism but blowing innocent people up is not allowed in islam. i wish people would realise that. it is not islamic.

cjs73 (07/11/2008 at 00:18)

Well Anthony of Accrington, thanks for the detailed description of your fireworks party, that sounded lovely.
I think your idea that people would buy foreign, illegal fireworks should general sale of fireworks be banned, in defiance of the ban is largely wrong. Most people wouldn't although I suspect that you would, but then Anthony you must understand that not everyone thinks like you, just look at the comments to this story! You're in a minority. I dont know what goes on in Accrington but my local bonfire and fireworks display at Heaton park was free. You dont have to go on the fairground rides, you wouldn't at a fireworks display at home and you dont have to buy the crappy overpriced food either, make yourself something before you go. If you're so passionate about letting off your own fireworks then why, when the ban comes in as I'm sure it eventually will one day, dont you get a licence to do it for the display at the local park or where ever it's held and by doing this you would be contributing something to the fireworks lovers of Accrington.
What people such as Anthony dont seem to be grasping is the fact that fireworks are an explosive and they are sold over the counter to anybody over 18 and many under 18. The age of the consumer really isn't the problem it is the responsibility of the person buying them, but nobody is vetted when they buy them, hence the reason for a licence.
You're being selfish Anthony because you are worried about the future of your own firework displays. If you have children and one of them had a firework thrown in their face by a person who had just bought it in a shop then how would you feel. These things happen and will continue to do unless something changes. I concede that this could happen with an illegal firework but why should we make it easy for idiots to get hold of these explosives. That is what they are - EXPLOSIVES!
I stand by my argument and I agree with Paul Shannon.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (07/11/2008 at 07:48)

Reginald,a sales ban on fireworks would cause significant problems with illegal sale and use of dangerous poor quality unregulated import fireworks and the danger that people could get burned injured or even killed lighting them or when they go off, and there IS also the also the secondary danger that idiots could try to make their own fireworks from household substances etc in defiance of such a ban;none of those two scenarios are desirable nor are they wanted(and the Govt will NOT ban the retail/mailorder sale of retail BS7114 consumer fireworks for those two reasons),this person SHOULD seriously consider the those two likely dangerous consequences before even contemplating a sales/use ban to the public because if he doesn't and those two scenarios happen where people get hold of dangerous import fireworks thru the blackmarket/criminal gangs and dodgy salesmen/traders etc and people try to make/use their own fireworks themselves in defiance of a sales and use ban then we will have even more serious fatalities and possibly deaths from fireworks that currently exists. The last part where possession of/carrying of fireworks in publicplaces by under18's is enshrined in law SHOULD ALSO be better enforced by the police forces AND if the police are NOT doing the job enforcing that part of the legislation that force or those policeforces responsible for feebly enforcing this legislation or"who just cannot be bothered to enforce the law on under18 possession/carrying of fireworks in publicplaces" as Fireworks International puts it SHOULD BE PUNISHED NO EXCUSES/NONE OF THE EXCUSE DEFENCES BY THE POLICEFORCES OF THE UK OF "OUR HANDS ARE TIED BY REDTAPE,WE CANNOT ENFORCE THAT LEGISLATION." TYPE EXCUSES ETC. If the Govt sets out laws regarding under18 possession/carrying of fireworks in publicplaces then it IS the police's job to enforce it;NOT for the policeforces of the country to NOT ENFORCE IT AND USE EXCUSES IN WHY THEY SHOULDN'T.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (07/11/2008 at 14:41)

A ban will NOT comw in cjs73, because the Govt doesn't want it because of the problems I mention with blackmarket sales of dangerous poor quality import fireworks being flogged to the general public and people who may attempt to make their own in spite of a ban(and it isn't hard to do with household substances and thru tampering with legal pyrotechnics),I DON'T want to do public displays with a licence;I don't NEED ONE AND I USE FIREWORKS PROPERLY!!!!!

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (07/11/2008 at 14:52)

Also cjs73 I don't think the govt will throw up kneejerk reaction to him and implement a retailsale/mailordersales ban on consumer retail fireworks just like that!!! The Govt do NOT support a retailsales/mailordersales and private use ban on consumer retail fireworks because of the illegal blackmarket in unregulated dangerous foreign imported chinese/foreign fireworks that would quickly replace retail legal shop/mailorder sales of safe regulated BS7114 retail fireworks, and the risk that people could attempt to make their own with devastating consequences.

jonah, usa (07/11/2008 at 19:46)

Once again 'bad behaviour' causes the inevitable ban demands. Bad behaviour is the problem not the fireworks.

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