Stricter fireworks sales measures call over 'misery' for Edinburgh residents

Further restrictions are urgently needed on the sale and use of fireworks to tackle the ‘misery’ being created in Edinburgh communities, a Liberal Democrat councillor has said.

Almond councillor Kevin Lang is calling on Edinburgh City Council to back tougher laws to control firework misuse at its full council meeting on Thursday, November 19.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported over 1,000 calls on this year’s Guy Fawkes night, while 12 crews were reportedly attacked while attending call-outs.

Cars were torched by fireworks in Muirhouse and Granton, and young boys were seriously injured after a discarded box of fireworks exploded in Saughton Park.

Ban call: Councillor Kevin Lang

In a 2019 Scottish government consultation, 94 per cent of respondents agreed there should be more control over the sale of fireworks, and 92 per cent were in favour of greater control on the use of fireworks.

Councillor Lang’s motion calls for new restrictions to be in place by November 2021.

He said: “The vast majority of people use fireworks sensibly and responsibly.

“However, the persistent misuse of fireworks by a minority has continued to cause misery in certain communities, including Muirhouse in my ward.

“Just this month, we saw serious incidents, damage to vehicles and injuries to innocent people.

“As always, we owe a huge amount to those working in our emergency services, many of whom put themselves in danger with fireworks being hurled at them as they carried out their jobs.

“It is why we urgently need tougher restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks, including no firework zones and limits on the days and times they can be used.

“Whilst the powers to deliver these changes rests with the Scottish government, I hope we can get a cross party consensus on Edinburgh City Council and speak with one voice in calling for change.”

Councillor Lang’s motion, due to be presented to the council on Thursday, reads: “The council recognises that whilst the majority of people use fireworks in a safe and responsible manner, the reckless misuse of fireworks by a minority has continued to cause damage and distress in a number of local communities.

“The council expresses its sincere thanks to the emergency services who tended to a number of serious incidents in the city earlier this month because of the misuse of fireworks.

“The council notes that 94 per cent of those who responded to the 2019 Scottish government consultation on the regulation of fireworks agreed there should be more control over the sale of fireworks and 92% were in favour of greater control on the use of fireworks.

“The council welcomes the recent report from the Fireworks Review Group and the 11 recommendations submitted to the Scottish government, including the creation of no firework zones, limitations on the days and times that fireworks can be set off, and measures to tackle proxy-purchasing of fireworks by those under the age of 18.

“The council agrees that the leader of the council write to the Minister for Community Safety to express the council’s support for additional measures to address the misuse of fireworks and to ask that such measures are put in place in time for November 2021.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.