The petition says there are ‘families losing sleep, frightened animals and disturbance caused by fireworks being let off all year round’
A general image of fireworks’
A petition is circulating in a bid to ‘put residents first’ and stop fireworks being let off all year round.
‘Families are losing sleep, children, the elderly and animals left scared by loud bangs and the time had come to crackdown on the disturbance which often goes on late into the night’, according to Birmingham’s Liberal Democrat group.
The party are pressing on the government for stronger powers so councils could better protect communities.
Read More: ‘Racists make me second-guess visiting parts of Birmingham’ – Home Secretary
They wanted councils to tighten local licensing rules to restrict and better control the sale of fireworks.
And the police and community groups to clamp down on illegal and antisocial use of fireworks.
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join
The law currently states that fireworks must not be let off between 11pm and 7am, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
The petition said: “It’s time to put residents first. Fireworks should no longer mean year-round misery for Birmingham ’s neighbourhoods.
To sign the petition, click here.
“Across Birmingham, residents are fed up. Fireworks are being set off not just on Bonfire Night, but at all times of year, often late into the night.
“This is not harmless fun: Families are losing sleep. Children are frightened.
“Pets, older people, and those with health conditions are suffering severe distress.
“Yet despite the impact, the problem continues year after year. National laws are too weak.”