ORGANISERS of a peaceful protest against nuisance fireworks say they intend to keep spreading the word to try and stop the scourge of explosives disturbing people’s sleep and frightening the elderly, children and pets.
Bradford4Better, a campaign group which is calling for a stop to all anti-social behaviour, littering, danger driving and drug dealing, gathered outside City Hall on Sunday and chatted to passers-by who said they supported their cause.
One of the founder members of the group, Inayah Sher, said she felt it was important to keep spreading the message that fireworks being let off after 11pm was against the law as well as being disturbing to residents.
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Mrs Sher said many of the late night fireworks were part of wedding celebrations and appreciated some people may not realise what distress they are causing.
“We are hoping to speak to all the Bradford Imams to ask them to speak to the wedding couples when they conduct the ‘nikkah’ (service) and tell them not to let fireworks off after this time.
“I would prefer the law to be changed to make the latest they can be let off no later than 8pm but I know that will never happen.
I think some people genuinely do not realise they are breaking the law and I think all wedding venues should ask the wedding couple to sign a disclaimer not to let fireworks off after 11pm." - B4B member Sohail Ahmed
“But the distress being caused by a lot of selfish people is terrible and we need to try and do something about it.”
B4B group member Sohail Ahmed added: “I think some people genuinely do not realise they are breaking the law and I think all wedding venues should ask the wedding couple to sign a disclaimer not to let fireworks off after 11pm.
“When I got married the Aagrah made me sign such a disclaimer, which I was happy to do, or I would lose my deposit. If all venues do this I think it will help.”
He added that many fireworks are let off outside the home of the bride and groom when she is brought back to the house and if the ceremony was a late ceremony it can mean the fireworks are let off late into the night.”
Mr Amhed said his company Aelixir Media is creating a documentary surrounding the B4B campaign group which will be aired at the Smart Film Festival on September 19, 20 and 21 at Bradford University and the National Science and Media Museum.
B4B new member Zoe Martindale, from Horton Bank Top, said she had been battling against the noise of fireworks for four years.
She is a member of FAB (Firework Abatement), a Facebook group campaigning against random firework use that has sparked three parliamentary debates, two public inquiries and has had a government department collecting data.
I am trapped in my home when fireworks are going off. I hear them almost year-round, at all times of the day and night" = B4B member Zoe Martindale
She said: “I fully support B4B and we will be able to work together to try and get something done. I am trapped in my home when fireworks are going off. I hear them almost year-round, at all times of the day and night.
“They are anti-social and terrifying and the culprits come from all parts of Bradford. I am also concerned about the cost to services around Bonfire Night.
B4B member Anwar Fatima added: “People who set fireworks off should think of the pollution they cause which we are having to breath in and should think of the sweat shops in China and places where people are making them.”
Mukhtar Ali said Trading Standards could help by stopping shops from selling fireworks to children.
“More needs to be done,” he said.
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