Quick remainder about legislation regarding firework.

Quick remainder about legislation regarding firework.

Fireworks can be used in the UK any time from 7am to 11pm.

Exceptions are:

Bonfire night: 7am to midnight

New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year: 7am to 1am the following day

Who can buy/use fireworks?

According to The Fireworks Regulations 2004 and The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015:

anyone over 18 can buy, carry or use category one, two and three fireworks

anyone over 16 can only buy, carry or use category one fireworks

anyone over 12 can buy Christmas crackers

only licensed professionals can buy, carry and use category 4 fireworks

unless part of an organised event by licensed professionals, fireworks cannot be used on the street or in a public place

it’s an offence to throw or set off any firework (including sparklers and category 1 fireworks) in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public space

Categories of fireworks:

category one: ‘Throwdown fireworks’ including firecrackers, bangers and party poppers

categories two and three: ‘Adult fireworks’ available in shops

category four: Professional display fireworks available from specialist suppliers

What to do?

If a local retailer is selling adult fireworks to people under 18, please report it to your local Trading Standards.

If you’re having an ongoing problem with people setting off fireworks, please report antisocial behaviour to us.

All information and guidance has been taken from the Metropolitan police website

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Lukasz Sadel
(Metropolitan Police, PCSO, Lower Edmonton)