CRACKDOWN On Fireworks Menace Following IncidentsPOLICE in Inverclyde are investigating reports of fireworks being used illegally at a number of locations in Greenock.
Sergeant Jason Logsdon said: “Fireworks present a serious risk of injury or death, especially if they are mishandled, directed at others, modified or misused.
“They also cause extreme distress to wildlife and pets. Fireworks should only be used with extreme caution and in accordance with the current legislation.
“Police and partners are looking at all aspects of the sale, supply and use of fireworks and where people are found to be breaking the law they will face prosecution.”
Firework Offences
• It is an offence for a person under 18 years to possess fireworks in a public place.
• It is an offence for any person to throw, cast, or fire any fireworks in or into any road or public place.
• It is an offence to use fireworks between 11pm and 7am, unless it is a local authority display or national public celebration.
• Shops cannot sell fireworks unless they have been granted a licence to do so.
• Fireworks can only be sold between 15 October and 10 November, and, between 26 December and 31 December.
Time Exceptions
Exceptions to the permitted times apply on designated fireworks nights:
• 2300hrs on 5th November to 2400hrs on 5th November (one hour extension)
• 2300hrs on first day of Chinese New Year to 0100hrs the following day (Chinese New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice)
• 2300hrs on the day of Diwali and ending on 0100hrs the following day (Diwali date changes every year as the day is calculated according to the position of the moon but is in October or November)
• 2300hrs on 31 December to 0100hrs the following day.
