‘Fireworks should be banned from public buying’
People in Annan are worried about extra fireworks being set off before bonfire night.
People living in Annan are calling for fireworks to be banned from public buying, following an incident earlier this month.
A group of youths were arrested and charged after setting off an illegal firework, which spooked nearby neighbours and animals.
Shellie Anne says she was out tending to her quail in the garden when she heard this ‘almighty big bang’.
Although the birds are flightless, they can flap around, gaining a little height which increases the risk of breaking their necks.
Shellie Anne was relieved there were no injuries as she was able to calm them down, but she fears it could have been worse if she wasn’t there.
Tara Reiki, also from Annan, says, “For the past few weeks, the group of youths had been going up and down the road outside my house setting off fireworks, towards houses, and cars.
“It had my pets all over the place until I managed to calm them, and then my attention was turned to the sheep and cows in the fields outside the back - they were running from one end to the other away from the fireworks.”
Since the incident happened, many people have become increasingly worried about bonfire night and there are calls for the mini explosives to be banned from public buying.
“I do worry about bonfire night because the buying of things escalates anyway and they just set off more and more, especially at weekends”, says Shellie Anne.
“Even though it says 18 written on the package, you get 18-year-olds buying them and giving them to their younger brothers or selling them to younger kids which isn’t on.
“I think it should only be private displays organised by professionals.”
Tara Reiki adds, “I’m definitely worried about bonfire night. My pets may be calmer now with fireworks, but I worry for the wildlife and pets all around.”
Police in Annan say they're cracking down on the illegal use of fireworks in the town in the build-up to Guy Fawkes night.
Community Policing Inspector Amy Ritchie says, "Not only is this behaviour illegal and very dangerous, but it can also be distressing for other members of the community, and we will continue to target, identify and report those who break these laws, with increased patrols by dedicated officers over the coming weeks."