Should fireworks be regulated more tightly? We let readers have their say (Picture: EPA)
Fireworks season has fully kicked in – but that means a restless night’s sleep for some Londoners.
As Diwali celebrations come to a close and bonfire and Halloween events are on the horizon, the sound of Catherine Wheels and Chrysanthemums have become a common occurrence.
It’s also led to an uptick of firework-related call outs for London Fire Brigade, with 35 out of 1,341 across London linked to a display on Monday and Tuesday this week.
One of these was a house fire in Hayes which was caused by a firework igniting combustible materials.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, two people were rescued from a block of flats in Southall, and 40 others were evacuated.
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Now 15 people have been left without access to their homes because firefighters believe a stray firework fell and melted through the roof of a nearby annex.
How late can fireworks go on for?
Nick Hodges, from Firework Campaign, says the group has seen an increase of fireworks used maliciously or during anti-social hours.
Battersea Park sees one of the most widely attended firework displays in London but the children’s zoo has been campaigning for the event to end, he said.
Despite concerns for wildlife, the most common complaint this year has been about fireworks going on too late.
Should there be stricter regulations on fireworks in London?
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Yes, they should only be allowed at specific times.
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No, the current regulations are fine.
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Fireworks should be banned completely.
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I support silent fireworks as an alternative.
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The fire in Southall is believed to have been started by a stray firework (Picture: LFB)
Firework displays can go until 11pm, but on special occassions, including New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year the cut off is 1am.
Nick told Metro: ‘Unless it’s New Year’s Eve there is no need for fireworks past 11pm. We encourage the regulation of organised and licenced displays, but even then we would still stay 11pm is late enough.’
‘Blows my mind you can just buy as many as you want’
Metro asked readers whether they want more restrictions on who can buy them and when.
And overwhelming people want them limited, or at the very least, their volume more controlled.
Chris Baines said: ‘There should be more regulation about the amount of noise they can make.
‘If they were silent, or near silent, they wouldn’t wake people, frighten animals or rattle the windows, but they’d still be pretty to watch.’
Illegal fireworks seized by police
(Picture: Police Scotland/PA Wire)
The ability for anyone over the age of 18 to buy them from supermarkets also should be revised, readers have said.
Matt Holmes said: ‘Blows my mind that you can go into a supermarket and literally buy as many explosives as you want. No pun intended.’
Is London becoming too quiet?
The city’s nightlife has been increasingly stamped on over the years, with venue owners and club-lovers blaming Nimbys – ‘not in my back yard’ believers – for keeping the capital quiet.
The Hindu Council in the UK also told Metro although they are mindful of the impact of fireworks on the community, the ‘celebrations went very smoothly’.
Businesses frequently apply to extend their hours, but are nearly always denied as locals and police fear an increase in noise levels and crime.
G-A-Y owner Jeremy Joseph, who has since closed his venue, said ‘there is no point fighting to stay open anymore’ and blamed Nimby residents.
And it is not just bars as even some restaurants have a hard time extending their hours.
Victor Garvey, who runs Michelin star restaurant SOLA, said he wants to extend his permissions by just one hour to allow diners to enjoy a longer time at the table.
But noise complaints and other strict rules make it impossible.
‘If businesses are now saying “why bother” and question their future in your area, you know you are doing something wrong,’ he said.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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