Westminster Life: Time for a law change to end firework nuisance

This week I helped launch a new campaign to rethink fireworks and deal with anti-social behaviour. This isn’t about banning fun or clamping down on organised displays, it is about dealing with the late-night misery that sometimes comes from inconsiderate use.

The anti-social use of fireworks by a small minority of people is causing misery to many residents in Peterborough, who are kept up at night and concerned for the wellbeing of their pets. As a resident living near Central Park, I know the nuisance regularly caused by late night fireworks. It is also an issue that affects many other parts of the city from Bretton to Dogsthorpe.

I am working alongside the RSPCA and other welfare organisations to try to deal with this nuisance behaviour. A recent study revealed that although 75% of the British public report liking fireworks, only 15% are happy with the current legislation governing the use of fireworks in the UK, and almost half think that private displays should be banned. I’m not going as far as calling for an outright ban, but I do think we can do more to deal with noise levels and nuisance behaviour.

I’ve been contacted by hundreds of people on this issue, with growing concerns surrounding animal welfare. There is mounting evidence that the noise created by fireworks can not only cause immediate distress and risk of injury towards animals, but also may have long term effects on their wellbeing and behaviour. Alongside animal welfare concerns and the environmental impact of fireworks, the concerns regarding those living with PTSD and other such conditions which fireworks may aggravate must not be ignored.

I wrote to the last government asking for change, but this was rejected. Former Ministers stated the law “strikes the right balance between allowing individuals to enjoy fireworks while reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals and property.” The campaign urges the new government to look again at reducing the maximum noise level of consumer fireworks from 120 decibels to 90 decibels and limiting their sale to specialist shops. It also calls for local councils to have the power to establish “firework-free zones”.

Although fireworks are a huge part of our national celebrations, they come at a cost to animals, the environment and vulnerable people. It is time that alternatives such as drones, laser shows and illuminations should be considered. Such alternatives are already very popular overseas in countries such as Japan and Hong Kong. In fact, polling found that 91% of British people are open to a partial replacement of traditional fireworks with these less harmful alternatives.

As the UK approaches the firework season with holidays such as Bonfire Night, I urge policymakers to adopt the proposals outlined in the report and create a more inclusive, environmentally friendly and pet safe future for firework displays in the UK.