Fireworks
The use of fireworks is not considered anti-social behaviour (ASB) but, for the majority of the year, it’s illegal to set off fireworks (including sparklers) between 11pm and 7am.
Exceptions include Bonfire Night - when the cut off is midnight, and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year - when the cut off is 1am.
What you can do
- If children are setting off fireworks in your area, our first advice is to ask them politely to stop. It’s possible they’re unaware that they are breaking the law. If you know their parents, perhaps ask them to intervene.
- If you’re having an ongoing problem with people setting off fireworks, please contact the police.
- If you’ve spoken to the police, please contact us with your incident report number and the name of the police officer you spoke to. We may need to use this to speak with the police and you on next steps.
Bonfires
The use of bonfires, fire pits and chimineas in private gardens is not considered anti-social behaviour (ASB), but there are laws about burning certain types of waste to prevent these causing a nuisance.
What you can do
- Your council has a responsibility to investigate complaints of smoke and fumes that could be a ‘statutory nuisance’
so report any concerns you have to your local authority . - They can issue an ‘abatement notice’ if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance. Your neighbour can be fined if they don’t follow the rules of the abatement notice.
Tops tips if you’re planning a bonfire
- Before lighting a bonfire, fire pit or chimenea, we recommend you visit your local Fire Service's website or contact them through their non-emergency number to access advice about what types of waste you’re allowed to burn and how you can do this safely.
- Bonfires must be kept away from buildings, vehicles, garden sheds, fences, trees and hedges, as well as anything else that may be flammable. Be sure to check that there’s no wildlife or pets hiding nearby.
- Bonfires/fire pits/chimeneas are only permitted in private gardens. We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy against the use of bonfires/fire pits/chimeneas in all our communal spaces.
- Make sure the bonfire isn’t left unattended and keep children and pets away.
- If you’re concerned that a fire is getting out of control, call 999 immediately for assistance.