The Fireworks Regulations 2004, which came into effect this month, are designed to reduce the anti-social behaviour of some people with fireworks and will be enforced by Surrey Police as part of their commitment to reduce disorder, crackdown on crime and make people in Surrey feel safe, both in town centres and local neighbourhoods.

The Regulations are part of a package of measures to minimise the risk that fireworks will be used with harmful consequences for people, animals or property. The Surrey Street Standards campaign, launched by the Force in June and already successful in reducing disorder and violence, will include enforcement activity against people who break these new laws. A raft of tools to deal with rowdy and violent or threatening behaviour, nuisance and yobbish behaviour on the streets is already available to officers. The zero tolerance approach to such anti-social behaviour will continue.

People should be aware of the new laws as they run the risk of prosecution if they offend. The provisions ban:

• The letting off of fireworks between 11pm and 7am., except on specified occasions (until midnight on 5 November, and 1am on the nights of the Chinese New Year, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve).
• Shops selling fireworks louder than 120 decibels.
• The possession of adult fireworks by under 18s in a public place. Adult fireworks include all fireworks except caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents, sparklers or throw downs.

Contravention of the regulations is an offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and 6 months imprisonment.

There are a number of regulations relating to the supply, purchase and possession of categories of fireworks, including the licensing of suppliers of adult fireworks except at certain times of the year. These provisions will be the responsibility of local authorities to enforce

MORE ABOUT YOUR SPECIALIST OFFICERS

PC2411 Lisa Wells pages at Surrey Police, for Brockham and Betchworth

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=2411

PC3135 Martyn Savage pages at Surrey Police, for Rural Affairs

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=3135

PC3480 Michael Vaccaro pages at Surrey Police, for Rural Affairs

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=3480

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