Crackdown on fireworks yobs begins
People who let off fireworks after 11pm will face fines of £5,000 or six months in jail under Home Office regulations that take effect today.
The regulations also allow for retailers to be prosecuted if they sell fireworks that are deemed too loud.
They have been introduced as part of a Government crackdown on so-called “fireworks yobs” ahead of this year’s fireworks season.
Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said fireworks could be fun, but could also cause “misery” for communities, especially to vulnerable people such as the elderly, and animals.
“Introducing a curfew and a noise limit balances the law to ensure that people can still enjoy fireworks whilst cracking down on their anti-social use,” he said.
From today, it will be illegal to let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am, and for retailers to sell fireworks that produce a bang louder than 120 decibels.
The only exceptions to the curfew will be for traditional or cultural events, such as Diwali Night, the Chinese New Year and New Year’s Eve, when the curfew will not start until 1am.
On Guy Fawkes, the curfew will begin at midnight.
Police and community support officers will be able to hand out fixed penalty notices to under-18s who have fireworks in public places or break the curfew.
