Thousands plead to remove the sales of fireworks in shops A petition to ban the sales of fireworks has been backed and signed by thousands following bonfire night 2017.
The reported danger and distress that fireworks cause to people and animals has raised the concern of the British public, resulting in the drawing up of a petition to ban private firework displays. This has been signed by over 70,000 people across the UK, thousands from the West Midlands including 136 in Selly Oak, 101 in Yardley and 101 in Solihull.
In the UK it is currently legal to buy fireworks, but sales of them are only permitted during certain holidays in the year, such as New Year and Chinese New Year, Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night. It’s illegal to set fireworks off including sparklers in the street, and
any violation of the rules could result in a £5,000 fine or up to six months in
prison.
The backing of the petition developed after a fire was started in a house in Birmingham
after lit fireworks were pushed through the letterbox on November 2nd. A man and a woman are now being treated in hospital. Police believe the incident to be arson.
This isn’t the first time issues have been raised over the UK’s firework legislation. Last year 168,000 people signed a similar petition, which was brought to Parliamentary debate but rejected on the reassurance from ministers that the current laws worked
well. While there is control over the sales and use of fireworks, many believe that they are not strict enough to keep people safe.
