Fireworks Law

[nailit]

Can anyone point me to the relevant laws re: using fireworks in public places?
Is it legal or illegal to set of fireworks (rockets, bangers etc) in a public place...such as a park?
I mean by an individual of course, not an organization with permission.
Thanks.

[Buenchico]

"If any person throw, cast or fires any fireworks in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare, road or public place, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale"
[Section 80, Explosives Act 1875, as amended by Consumer Protection Act 1987].

(Level 5 = £50000

[woofgang]

Love to see that one enforced!

[Buenchico]

Local Authority Byelaws also apply to parks and similar public open spaces. For example, the byelaws applying to such areas in St Albans state:
"Fires:
9. (1) No person shall in the ground intentionally light a fire, or place, throw or let fall a lighted match or any other thing so as to be likely to cause a fire.
(2) No person shall in the ground set off any firework.
(3) Byelaws 9(1) and 9 (2) shall not apply to any event held with the consent of the Council"

[Buenchico]

I seem to have typed a 0 instead of a ) in my first post. It should read . . .

(Level 5 = £5000)

[Peter Pedant]

there is quite a lot more of legislation out there
it is unlawful to sell them except between dates -
I know this because one of my tenants holds the British record for the shortest time from open day - 12 midday I think and blowing his fingers off ( 1500h)

also in china town in order to let off fire crackers at an event to frighten away demons - they have to hire a police man ! as well

[retrocop]

Great legislation that is.
Any person igniting a rocket in back garden has no idea where it falls. Penny to a pinch it will land in a public space or thoroughfare.
Bit like Hamas on the strip really.

[woofgang]

Pp that’s not entirely true. We have got a year round sales to the public shop near me...and they can legally be bought online by the public. We had two shops near us but one exploded and the blokes licence wasn’t renewed.

[tonyav]

https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

[retrocop]

//We had two shops near us but one exploded and the blokes licence wasn’t renewed.//
No doubt they tried but couldn't locate him.

[tonyav]

A shop going up in Stafford four years ago.

[woofgang]

The one that is still there is right in the middle of a busy mixed retail and residential high street.

[tonyav]

The shop owner got done for manslaughter.

[tonyav]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5761665/Owner-fireworks-shop-blaze-broke-guilty-manslaughter.html

[woofgang]

The bloke here wasn’t accused of anything but the council refused to renew his licence. They said that the area he was in was residential and therefore it was unsafe.

[EDDIE51]

PP Licenced Firework Suppliers can and do sell fireworks all year round. It is only the PUBLIC SALE through non specialist retailers that is restricted to the 4 weeks before November 5th. I have bought Fireworks for a display in July before now, you just need to find your nearest 'Pyrotechnic Supplies' dealer. They are open 52 weeks a year.

[tonyav]

It is only the PUBLIC SALE through non specialist retailers that is restricted to the 4 weeks before November 5th.


15 October to 10 November

https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

[nailit]

Im more confused now than when I first asked...…
All I wanted to know was is, it legal or not to discharge fireworks in a public place such as a park...on bonfire night?

[EDDIE51]

^ Yes I remember being told 'firework season' was being extended to include Dilwale.

[woofgang]

Nailit, Buenchico has answered. Illegal unless its an organised permitted display.

[tonyav]

Different councils - different by laws, nailit.