HOPES the anti-social use of fireworks in the district is to be tackled have been buoyed with news a report on the subject is being sent to all five Bradford area committees later this year.

The nuisance caused by the explosives has been taken up by Eccleshill Lib Dem councillor Brendan Stubbs who had been approached by a number of residents in his ward complaining about late night and early morning noise.

In August last year the Telegraph and Argus highlighted the distress the antisocial use of fireworks after the 11pm watershed was causing.

This was echoed in June this year by Bolton Road resident John Gittus who said he and his partner had spent their first full summer in 2017 at their new home but the noise nuisance had them contemplating moving.

He raised the matter with Cllr Stubbs who has since worked to bring the matter onto a Council agenda despite the Government stating they was to be no overhaul of current fireworks legislation.

Cllr Stubbs, along with fellow ward councillors Geoff Reid and Nicola Pollard, has now started sending out letters to 2,000 constituents asking for their input.

In the letter it states:”Many of you will have heard fireworks being used during the early hours of the morning over the last few years. Many residents have been in touch with us to complain, and consider the disturbance caused to be anti-social behaviour. We want to make sure that the police, council, Trading Standards and the fire services have all the powers and resources they need to tackle the problem.

“In Parliament on January 29 a petition titled: ‘Change the laws governing the use of fireworks to include a ban on public use’ was discussed. The Government’s response did not support further legislation to control the sale and use of fireworks. However, the full response goes on to say: ‘The best way to continue to reduce the distress caused by fireworks is to work with industry, retailers and others to promote the safe and responsible use of fireworks through guidance and public education and to ensure that appropriate action is taken against those that break the rules’.

Cllr Stubbs said he was delighted the Council was preparing the report and asked the following areas be covered:

•The current rules on use and sale of fireworks and what the Council and partners, (fire service, West Yorkshire Trading Standards, police, faith organisations etc) offer in terms of public education/ guidance?

•What are the current priorities, and what actions are being undertaken to enforce the rules?

•To get comments from producers and retailers and how they can help to improve enforcement of the rules.”

Cllr Stubbs said there were lots of questions to answer, such as where the fireworks are being bought from and whether Trading Standards could force manufacturers to put the laws surrounding their use on the packages and boxes.

Mr Gittus said he was delighted there were moves being made to tackle the nuisance. He said: “The news that those with the ability to stop Bradford’s anti-social fireworks are to begin consulting with each other is long overdue, but very encouraging. Hopefully by also asking for the views of directly affected residents, the report will inspire some confidence that this situation will not just continue to worsen year after year and make it clear exactly what new measures the council and emergency services require in order to properly enforce the UK’s fireworks laws.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: ““West Yorkshire Police works with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in all its forms across Bradford District and would welcome any proposals which may improve our response to the nuisance use of fireworks.

“Any deliberate use of fireworks to injure, damage or cause fear to others will not be tolerated and should be reported using 999 where there is a danger to life or a crime in progress.

“The 101 non-emergency number should be used in all other situations. Reports can also be made using the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: “The Fire Service is responsible for the licensing of storage of fireworks and we inspect retailers for compliance.

“We also work with partner agencies to address any anti-social behaviour by members of the public when using fireworks. We encourage people to observe the law in relation to when fireworks can be used and to always use them in a safe and sociable way.

“We welcome any move to support collaborative working to tackle any anti-social use.”

The report is expected to be presented at area committee meetings during October and November and recommendations from these will then go before the Executive committee to rubber stamp further action.