WIREDGOV

Tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been backed in a new consultation.

The public consultation, which attracted a total of 1,739 responses, asked for views on the Scottish Government’s Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill.

The proposed Bill follows the report of an independent Fireworks Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.

The consultation, published today, shows that of those who responded on these individual issues:

• 92% agreed with the introduction of a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s
• 84% backed the introduction of a fireworks licensing system
• 77% backed a new offence of being in possession of a pyrotechnic in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority
• 70% agreed with extending police powers to allow a stop and search provision in relation to pyrotechnics
• more than 60% agreed with restrictions for the general public on the days fireworks can be sold and used

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said:

“The consultation builds on a significant programme of engagement and evidence gathering and demonstrated the range of views among those who responded.

“I am committed to making our communities safer and we have already moved quickly to introduce regulations restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public - as well as the times fireworks can be set off.

“We are intent on further improving safety for communities across Scotland by taking forward the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill at the earliest opportunity to ensure appropriate action is taken over the sale and use of fireworks and to reduce the misuse of pyrotechnic devices such as flares.”

Background

There were a total of 1,739 responses to the consultation with the majority from individual members of the public and 64 from groups or organisations. In addition to the main online consultation, 12 online workshop events were held. Not all respondents answered every question. As with all consultations, the findings presented here represent the views of those who chose to respond to the consultation and cannot be said to represent the views of the Scottish public more widely.

The proposed Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill is in addition to new regulations which came into force at the end of June restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public - as well as the times fireworks can be set off.

The 2021 consultation builds on a consultation carried out in 2019, an opinion poll representative of the views of adults in Scotland and a review of international evidence.