Stay Safe campaign

October 15, 2002

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The Manchester Evening News and ManchesterOnline is continuing to campaign to have over-the-counter firework sales banned.

While fireworks are allowed to be sold over the counter, there is an ever-present risk of serious injury or death from people using them irresponsibly, coupled with the constant problem of people enduring weeks of late night explosions from youths setting fireworks off.

Last year, 1,362 people were injured by fireworks in Britain - a 40 per cent increase on the previous year. There was also a 60 per cent increase in people being injured by fireworks in the street.

These sobering statistics illustrate just why Manchester Evening News and ManchesterOnline feel it is imperative to restrict fireworks to organised displays, and why our Stay Safe campaign will continue.

Read more about the campaign by clicking on the links below or let us know what you think by submitting comments.

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Home Secretary David Blunkett talks about fireworks laws
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Ian, London (04/10/2003 at 19:16)

"The authorites are too feared of upsetting traders to impose a serious ban." I really do not think that is the case. Legislation to ban or restrict fireworks has been introduced in Parliament several times and debated at length and the outcome is always a continuation of the status quo with minor - usually sensible - modifications. I really wonder where these areas are where there is unbearable noise. There is virtually nothing in my neighbourhood. When I have lived in areas of intense firework activity I have noticed the following: Mostly it is not that loud. If you have titanium maroon cakes going off next door then you have noise but the general noise level, if perceived objectively, is quite low. If you are in doubt about that just compare it with a thunderstorm - a natural phenomenon that dogs and other creatures manage to live through. I love the sound of the fireworks period as it is a demonstration that England has not yet succumbed to the cancer of political correctness and Nanny Statism.

stephy, manchester (06/10/2003 at 13:22)

I would just like to say I love fireworks but hearing them all night everynight gets a bit too much and I would say it's loud when you can hear it over the TV. Thunderstorms are not everyday all night long. I wouldn't like the see them banned but something does need doing.

Ian, London (06/10/2003 at 23:02)

Fair enough, Stephy. I just have to say that I have not lived anywhere where I found the sound of fireworks intrusive. I could sleep through them so I guess I am lucky. I think the traditional Guy Fawkes celebrations are not the problem. Where I have heard fireworks going off after midnight it has been related to Indian celebrations - Deepavali etc. I suppose I will now be pilloried for racism whch is not the case. I totally support the use of fireworks for these celebrations.

Caz, Oldham (08/10/2003 at 12:25)

I believe it is time to ban them completely, other than for organised displays, whereby the organisers have to be issued with a licence which can be subject to a background check.

It's no fun anymore, they just get into the hands of idiots who either injure themselves or INNOCENT people.

Ban them.

Andy, Wythenshawe (08/10/2003 at 22:38)

Ian, you have obviously never experienced what the situation is like on the many council estates in Manchester. I assure you, you wouldn't sleep through air bombs being fired at your bedroom window at 3am in the morning. I'm sure if bonfire night celebrations were restricted to just that, then we wouldn't be having this debate, and because the police find it near impossible to catch and convict those that misuse fireworks, severe restrictions or banning them, is the only real option.

Anna, Burnage (09/10/2003 at 08:40)

I have just moved into a new house, for the last week I have had rockets going off within 50 yards of my house every night for 2 hours or more. I have witnessed 11 year old children throwing them at each other and at peoples property in broad daylight. How do these children get hold of such dangerous items, and if the current laws are not enough to stop them then we must ban the sale of fireworks over the counter, and make possession of a firework without a license an offence

Andrew, Burton (09/10/2003 at 10:51)

Hi

Look a ban is not the way forward all we need is to get tough on the thugs who mess around with fireworks.

It is often blackmarket fireworks that these kids are messing around with so a ban would simply increase.

Don't forget that millions of people enjoy fireworks responsibly just like I do so please don't make us all suffer because of a few thugs.

VEZ, CHADDERTON (09/10/2003 at 13:30)

How do you propose we get tough on the thugs.
Ok get tough on the thugs who are caught red handed.
What about those that walk down the alley at the back of my house at night or those that are messing on the park that is close by, its too dark to recognise them. What happens when you name one of them and then their freinds harass you.
I unfortunately live in one of those areas that is a poorer area and therefore have to listen to them going off every night and be afraid of gangs of thugs.

Sorry but to me banning is the only option other than organised.

Ian, London (09/10/2003 at 20:18)

Andy and Anna, you have made valid points and I truly sympathise. It is a sad comment on policing resources and priorities. If children have these items they have been supplied by adults and some of them, at least, are illegal. Perhaps enforcement should start there. Certain troublesome fireworks have been banned. Air bombs have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale by the industry, for example. I feel that, generally, cost is a deterent where children are concerned. Air bombs and mini rockets, which are cheap and can be used in an offensive way, have been withdrawn. If they are being used they must be obtained illegally. A ban would not solve this. If the police can't be bothered with this sort of behaviour in children it is no wonder we have teenage thugs and adult habitual criminals. What sort of parents must these children have if they are out unsupervised late at night?

Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (10/10/2003 at 08:04)

It's far better to grass up and get kids done to the police and put up with reprisals for it, I've just recently got a few children done and their parents prosecuted for fireworks misuse and reported a few retailers in the process for selling to underage and I've been confronted by parents (young ones are the worst for that) who take exception to what I have done, I don't feel ashamed to report firework misusing children and retailers who sell to them, more people should do it inspite of what may happen.

Vez, Chadderton (10/10/2003 at 12:07)

I thought I'd let you all know that last night I actually witnessed a teenager under 16 letting off fireworks, who had young children between the ages of 5 and 10 around him. I stood my ground told him what I thought of him, along with a few of the other adults that witnessed him letting them off. We also reported him, not that I'm sure whether anyone came though.
I found out though that this young lad got them of his father and the rumour is that he's told others he is allowed them because he is SENSIBLE. How do we deal with this, he didn't but them, the shop didn't sell them to him, he got them off an adult.
My concerns last night were for the pets that was out at the time, although most were with owners and well away from the innocent, but the main concern was one young lad who was stood in front of him.
Sorry to be a spoilsport but if there going to get in the wrong hands it needs a ban other than organised.

reginald breydin, manchester/ancoates (10/10/2003 at 15:49)

I myself have suffered at the hands of firework thugs in Beswick Manchester. Last year one thug put a firework through
the bedroom window and set the bed alight. The police at Beswick said things like this happen all the time. I fully agree with a full out ban on fireworks. I have written to the Prime Minister for a full ban.

Ian, London (10/10/2003 at 20:25)

Fair enough, Reginald, but the problem of illegal fireworks, which has been well canvassed in these submissions, will not be solved by a ban. A consistent feature of the accounts of fireworks nuisance that I read here is that the fireworks appear to be types that are already banned. If this is not a police priority, when there are plenty of grounds for prosecution, then I am concerned for British policing. If the revenue from speed camera taxation devices was ploughed into policing it would pay for hundreds of extra police in each county. The money is not going towards this. I have to admit as well that certain areas seem to have a level of anti-social fireworks activity that is completely outside my experience. This activity cannot be the only thing that these children and teenagers are doing. If it wasn't fireworks it would be throwing bottles and stealing cars. It has to come down to policing.

Michelle, New Moston, Manchester (12/10/2003 at 21:10)

I totally agree that it is time for a complete ban on the public sale of fireworks because people just can't be trusted with them anymore. For the last 4 weeks they have been going off every night, and probably will be up until New Year and beyond. I have to turn my tv up constantly to try and block out the noise, not for my own benefit, but because my poor dog is reduced to a shivering, drooling wreck who paces around the room in distress when she hears fireworks. She is now 10 years old and has only been affected like this for the last 2 years since a 'yob' set a firework off in front of her while she was out for a walk. It seems that they just seem to get into the hands of hooligans who have no respect for anyone else. Over the last 2 weeks I have been woken up, on several occasions, by fireworks being let off at midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am etc..and I have just about had enough!! Just what kind of people are letting them off at that time? I have read that there is a curfew coming into place next year limiting the time to 11pm...I'm quite sure all the yobs will obey that rule...not! Are people actually breaking the law by letting them off in the early hours? Can we report them? Will we be listened to? I think not...Unfortunately, our society has changed drastically over the years and these mindless yobs are spoiling things for everyone else because they are being allowed to - they don't care because there doesn't seem to be any punishment anymore. Surely with the number of people constantly campaigning against fireworks, something has got to be done soon? I will gladly put my name down on anybody's campaign to get them banned!

Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (13/10/2003 at 14:55)

We need to tackle the illegal importation/acquisition/sales and use of foreign import non BS fireworks, internet buying of them and personal trips to Europe to obtain them before a ban is in place, because if we don't a sales ban on retail/mail-order sales of fireworks will NOT solve the problem alone, and like myself many friends in the pyrotrade agree with me that a ban on it's own will not (and cannot) be enforced to work

Steve, Westhougton (27/10/2003 at 11:26)

Enough is enough ban the lot. If people wish to view them organised displays only on the 5th November which is what its supposed to be about, the kids setting these off everywere probably cant tell you what happened on the 5th November. These fireworks start in October and finnish just after New year its a money making joke that causes fear and despair to a lot of the popultaion and that cannot be right!

Polly, Swindon (27/10/2003 at 17:51)

One is reminded of the old adage: Empty vessels make the most noise. Not after this year they won't. The revolution has started! Believe it!!!

Steve, westhoughton (28/10/2003 at 13:35)

A work colleague of mine today told me that during his journey home last night which takes him through Miles Platting, his car and others during the rush hour were attacked by kids hurling lit rockets at them into the road, whilst gesturing obscenities at the motorists.
Why should people be subjected to this unbelievable action by louts? Again is this not a reason to ban these dam things before someone gets killed!
Perhaps the police should be actively seen rounding up the shop owners that are selling to minors, and dealing with adults who condone their children playing with fireworks. Parents should be prosecuted for their children's actions if they are failing to control them.

Alice Chivers, Braintree, SX (28/10/2003 at 19:37)

Millions of households across the country are having their lives made a misery. In the neighbourhood where I live we have been subjected to the daily/nightly round of bangs and booms since the 25th September. This cannot be allowed to continue. It's bad enough for most of us, but it must be hell for the hundreds of thousands who do shift work - ie nurses, doctors, and other hospital workers, policemen and women, the fire brigade, ambulance drivers, transport workers, etc, etc. And then there's babies and kids being woken up, etc. A complete ban on fireworks apart from two or three specified dates is the only answer, with the option - depending on public opinion (the majority, that is) - of non-noisy,quiet fireworks only. Festivities should be restricted to these dates with fines of B#500 (minimum) for any offenders, with parents liable for their children. Is it really too much to ask to have peace and quiet in the sanctity of our own homes? I think not.

Anon., Fallowfield, Fanchester (29/10/2003 at 11:21)

I say ban fireworks. I don't care if they look pretty. I live on the end of a road next to a park and I've had about all I can take. Last year, someone put a lit firework through my letter box. Luckily, I caught it before a fire started. Last night, my cat came in shaking with fright and with a singed tail. God only knows what the idiots with the fireworks tried to do with him. Then at 3:10am, I was woken by a series of fireworks & shouting by the idiots who let them off. Someone has to do something about this before more people (and animals) get hurt.

Kim, Burnage (29/10/2003 at 11:39)

For me the issue is not the noise made by fireworks (although I don't doubt that it can cause misery especially in large doses) This could be counteracted by enforcement of time restrictions. The issue is that fireworks in the wrong hands are dangerous, even responsible people can be injured by faulty fireworks. I don't wish to see them banned entirely but the only way to stop them getting into the hands of yobs is to totally ban the sale of fireworks over the counter.

It is obvious that current laws preventing sale more than 3 weeks before November 5th and to under 18's are not working.

I would like the government to go even further and ban all displays other than those carried out by licensed persons.

Jacqueline, Manchester (29/10/2003 at 12:54)

I was waiting for a metrolink home after work just after 6pm. Some one was setting off fireworks. It was very frightening as all i was trying to do was get home and not wonder if the next firework was going to hit me or any other people like myself, just waiting to go home.

I looked across the platform to the newsagents opposite. It has a huge sign in the window stating "cut price fireworks sold here". I think this is digusting. I do not agree with the general sale of fireworks, but to sell them in the city centre in the midst of all the shops and people attempting to get home from work or do some shopping is just not right.

I and others like myself should not have to fear for their saftey whilst leaving work and going home.

Julian O'Neill, baguley, manchester (29/10/2003 at 18:43)

HI, well yesterday my mum--who is 71 was driving on Kingsway, when all of a sudden there was an explosion under her car caused by some fool(s) letting off a rocket!! This could have caused my mum to have an accident or even worse.
Fireworks must be banned, and only allowed for professional use on bonfire night, or just the gentle ones for sale. actually those were the ones I loved as a kid. It is up to us to make the authorities take notice and change this law which lets bombs get into the hands of yobs. its unbelieveable we have to even point this out!!!!!!!!

Ian, London (30/10/2003 at 17:33)

It is a pity that the use of fireworks by teenaged yobs has led to a predictable flood of calls for a ban on fireworks sales. It would be better to direct attention to the problem of unsupervised children roaming the streets at all hours. It should be remembered that existing laws are being broken when children are supplied with fireworks and use them, and that misuse of fireworks is only one aspect of their antisocial behaviour.

The recent discoveries of stores of illegal fireworks, one of 300 tons, demonstrates perfectly that a ban on legal fireworks will not solve the problem. It will only increase the market for much more powerful fireworks, often professional category 4 items, that do not meet British safety standards. The complete failure of prohibition in drugs policy should serve as a very apt warning. Do we really want a completely unregulated market handed lock, stock and barrel to criminals?

Do none of the people calling for a ban have the imagination and intellectual capacity to realise that the problem is not fireworks but the complete lack of supervision and policing of gangs of young thugs?

Steve, Manchester (31/10/2003 at 09:04)

Fireworks are munitions, and the one time excuse of BonFire Night has surely passed into obscurity with Fireworks being brought out at every single weak excuse. New Years Eve is now a deafening experience.

Can there honestly be any good reason for allowing these dangerous and anti-social munitions to be used?

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