Fireworks and bonfires

Fireworks

Is it anti-social behaviour?

No, but for the majority of the year, it’s illegal to set off fireworks (including sparklers) between 11pm and 7am. 

Exceptions include Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

What you can do

  • If children are setting off fireworks in your area, our first advice is to ask them politely to stop. It’s possible they’re unaware that they are breaking the law. If you know their parents, perhaps ask them to intervene. 
  • ​If you’re having an ongoing problem with people setting off fireworks, please contact the police.
  • ​If you’ve spoken to the police, please contact us with your incident report number and the name of the police officer you spoke to. We may need to use this to speak with the police and you on next steps.

Bonfires

Is it anti-social behaviour (ASB)?

No, but there are laws about burning certain types of waste and to prevent bonfires causing a nuisance.

What can you do

  • Your council has a responsibility to investigate complaints of smoke and fumes that could be a ‘statutory nuisance’ Opens in new window.
  • They can issue an ‘abatement notice’ if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance. Your neighbour can be fined if they don’t follow the rules of the abatement notice.