Enjoy November 5th- but please do so responsibly
3rd November 2006
Alan Whitehead wants Southampton’s residents to enjoy watching fireworks on Guy Fawkes night - but to do it safely. That is why he has backed new police powers to issue £80 on the spot fines to yobs misusing fireworks.
Police in Southampton can now use Fixed Penalty Notices to deal with; individuals setting off fireworks late at night, young people caught with fireworks, and adults found with high-powered display fireworks. It is also illegal for young people to carry adult fireworks in a public place.
Offenders who refuse to pay the £80 on the spot charge face court action and an increased fine. For the most serious fireworks offences, the police will retain the power to prosecute offenders with penalties including a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison.
Dr Whitehead has also backed the tough new regulations governing the sale of fireworks. Shops in Southampton are forbidden from selling fireworks that are louder then 120 decibels, and retailers who want to sell fireworks have to get a license from the local authority. If they aren't registered or licensed, retailers could also be fined up to £5,000 or given a prison sentence of up to six months. Other suppliers, such as newsagents, are limited in the periods in which they can sell fireworks, and must also apply for a special storage licence so that they are kept in a safe place.
Alan Whitehead MP said:
“No one wants to be a killjoy and Guy Fawkes night is an enjoyable evening for families and people of all ages to watch fireworks, however it is also a time of year that can be potentially dangerous and stressful if not properly policed. Everyone knows that in the wrong hands fireworks can be very dangerous and that is why we have ensured that the police have the powers they need to crack down on the shops that sell fireworks illegally and the yobs who use fireworks to terrorise others. In addition, restrictions on the noise levels have been welcomed by animal lovers as has the limited period over which fireworks can be sold.”
“I hope these police powers and restrictions will ensure that this year everyone enjoys fireworks night in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.”
More information
- Information on the new fireworks regulations can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks/.
- The 2004 Firework Regulations can be read in full here.