People misusing fireworks in the build up to the Halloween and bonfire period could face criminal charges.
Knowsley Council is working closely with emergency services and community safety partners including housing associations to help protect residents and to tackle nuisance, anti-social and criminal behaviour.
Used irresponsibly, fireworks can cause damage to property and do significant harm to people and animals. Not only is there a danger from fireworks exploding, they can also pose a serious fire risk as well.
The misuse of fireworks could result in a fine, arrest, police charges and potentially a criminal conviction. This includes behaviour such as:
- Throwing a firework in the street
- Making a bonfire in the street
- Throwing fireworks at properties, vehicles and people.
Restrictions around the sale and use of fireworks
The sale of fireworks is limited to people aged 18 and over.
It is against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except at the following times:
- Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
- New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
If you know of people letting off fireworks outside these times in Knowsley contact Merseyside Police on 101 or email the Council’s Community Safety team on safer.knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk
Members of the public may only use fireworks on private property, such as their back gardens. Only licensed professionals can use them in public places.
Illegal sale of fireworks
Vendors can be fined an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 to 31 December
- Three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.
You should only ever purchase fireworks from approved vendors. Counterfeit fireworks and items sold illegally pose a potential risk to you and others.
Taking action against anti-social and criminal behaviour
Knowsley Council’s Community Safety, Environmental Health and CCTV & Security teams are working closely with Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioners Office and local housing associations to address concerns and reports from the local community.
- Knowsley’s CCTV network of more than 1,150 cameras will continue to be monitored 24/7. The Council Control room has direct access to Merseyside Police’s Command and Control Room. This means that the police can be immediately notified of any incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour occurring and police patrols can be deployed accordingly.
- Footage captured of criminal or anti-social incidents is shared with Merseyside Police and partners in order to identify offenders.
- Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health Team will ensure local businesses understand their waste disposal responsibilities – particularly when people may want to use it for anti-social fires.
Knowsley Council’s Street Scene Team will offer additional support through their waste disposal vehicles – being on hand to remove incidents of fly tipping that could be used for anti-social fires. You can report fly tipping online here.
Please report any build-up of combustible material that could be used for deliberate fires via the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service website.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Anti-social and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Knowsley. We all have a part to play to ensure everyone is safe over the Halloween and Bonfire period. The safety of our residents is paramount and we will work closely with community safety partners to ensure action is taken against anyone who puts others at risk. I would urge anyone with information about criminal and anti-social behaviour to contact Merseyside Police, or in confidence to our Community Safety team, to ensure action can be taken.”
Report criminal and anti-social behaviour
In an emergency always call 999.
To report to Merseyside Police call 101, via the Merseyside Police website or by direct message on Facebook and X @MerPolCC
You can also anonymously tell Police about areas where you feel unsafe because of anti-social behaviour via ‘StreetSafe’.
Or report anonymously to:
Knowsley’s Community Safety team by emailing Safer.Knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk
Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111