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Law on sale of fireworks must change, MPs say

BBC Preet Gill MPBBC
Preet Gill, the Labour MP for Edgbaston, says anti-social behaviour involving firework is a "real big problem"

Two MPs have called for changes in the legislation on the sale of fireworks.

It comes after several people were hurt when fireworks were launched at people and buildings in Birmingham city centre.

During a discussion on the BBC's Politics Midlands programme, Marco Longhi, Conservative MP for Dudley North, said "change was necessary".

Labour's Preet Gill agreed, saying that anti-social behaviour involving fireworks was a "real big problem".

The MP for Edgbaston suggested that fireworks be used only at organised gatherings.

Ms Gill added: "It's about the safety of others and we really have to make sure that we look at that.

"Maybe having it just around big events, like Guy Fawkes Day, and other festivals, that might be the right way to go."

The moment the fireworks were launched was captured in footage

Earlier this week, Staffordshire Police issued a dispersal order to crack down on anti-social behaviour in Perton.

"In recent years, fireworks and eggs have been thrown at premises in the area with police vehicles also targeted," the force said.

There were reports of fireworks being used dangerously by masked youths in the village, near Wolverhampton, in 2022.

Mr Longhi said he conducted a survey on the topic among his constituents that "went viral" and was inundated with thousands of responses.

Marco Longhi,
Marco Longhi told BBC Politics Midlands that "change is necessary"

"It tells me the public do want to see some change. No-one is talking about banning fireworks; what I think [plausible] is to bring about specific changes that make it easier for those who suffer from post-traumatic distress, like our veterans, and animals," he said.

"These days you never know when a firework is going to go off; it could be your next-door neighbour setting it off at night and this is happening an awful lot, so I do think there is scope to bring about legislative change around this."

The law currently states that fireworks must not be set off between 23:00 and 07:00, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut-off is 01:00.

For private use, fireworks can only be bought from registered sellers from 15 October to 10 November, from Boxing Day until New Year's Eve and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

The illegal sale of fireworks could result in a six-month imprisonment.

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