Calls grow for ban on firework sales to the public

The ban would limit firework use to just organised displays

Cllr McClung wants to look at limiting the use of fireworks to specific times
Author: Molly TulettPublished 18th Nov 2023

A North Ayrshire councillor is calling for a complete ban on sales of fireworks to the public, to lower the stress caused to animals and people suffering with anxiety or PTSD.

Councillor Jean McClung is making the appeal following recent disorder over Bonfire Night, and after a close friend who is a former military policewoman made the choice to leave the country, rather than stay during firework season.

The member for Saltcoats and Stevenson made the call at a meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee earlier this week, saying that part of the problem is the unpredictability of when they will be let off, especially around Guy Fawkes Night.

She said: “They go off at random times throughout the year, but obviously on November fifth and around that time, it’s much worse.

"I don't want to be a killjoy"

“Is it possible perhaps to confine their use to one day a year, and then people might be prepared for that noise?”

Speaking at the meeting, she added: “Can you imagine if you had been in a war zone and you hear that noise?

“I am sitting watching the telly and I’m jumping.”

It comes after a fire crew were attacked in Ardrossan on fireworks night, with fire appliances being pelted by eggs, stones, and bricks by young people.

Limited dates for fireworks use

The SNP councillor has also suggested use of fireworks should be limited to occasions such as November 5 and Hogmanay, and only when put on by organised groups.

She said: “I don’t want to be a killjoy; I know people like the bright display in the sky.

“An organised event, properly licences, with insurance cover, I would not object to that sort of firework display.”

She added the easy access to fireworks could be one reason for such widespread disruption this year, saying: “I can’t help but think that availability of these explosives and accessibility of them must encourage people to go out and cause the kind of mayhem that has happened in some places.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.