Campaigners welcome very high response to Scottish Government firework consultation

A total of 12,000 responses have been received in just one week since the consultation was launched on Sunday, February 3.

Communities including Pollokshields have been campaigning for restrictions on fireworks for many years.

Pollokshields was one of the worst hit communities in Scotland on November 2018.

After Bonfire Night, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined more than 200 residents at a community meeting in Pollokshields after riot police were called to disperse a group setting off industrial fireworks.

The meeting was also attended by Police Scotland, the fire services, trading standards and local councillors.

Danny Phillips, Pollokshields resident and campaigner against fireworks, said: “I am heartened that there has been a large response to the consultation on fireworks.

“It is good to know that Pollokshields community is not alone in living with this problem, and that thousands across Scotland are calling for further action. I would urge everyone to submit their views and ideas.

“Fireworks are a modern menace, particularly the large industrial-sized fireworks which cause fear and alarm throughout Scotland.

“So while we welcome this consultation communities like ours in Pollokshields expect action on the sale, enforcement and policing of fireworks in place by next Bonfire Night – so none of us have to live through the chaos and fear again.”

Danny’s film of the fireworks in his street went viral on social media.

Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham said: “We’ve had an excellent response to fireworks consultation in its first week, with more than 12,000 people having given us their views on what they think needs to be done to ensure fireworks can continue to be enjoyed safely and responsibly.

“This response demonstrates the importance of this issue to people and communities across Scotland. Public events are being held across Scotland and I encourage people to come along to events in their area and join in the discussion.”

The consultation is open online until May 13.

Visit www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-fireworks-scotland-experiences-ideas-views/.