Tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the
misuse of pyrotechnics has been backed in a new consultation.
The public consultation, which attracted a total of 1,739
responses, asked for views on the Scottish Government’s Fireworks
and Pyrotechnics Bill.
The proposed Bill follows the report of an independent Fireworks
Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce
the harm fireworks can cause.
The consultation, published today, shows that of those who
responded on these individual issues:
- 92% agreed with the introduction of a new offence to
criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s
- 84% backed the introduction of a fireworks licensing system
- 77% backed a new offence of being in possession of a
pyrotechnic in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful
authority
- 70% agreed with extending police powers to allow a stop and
search provision in relation to pyrotechnics
- more than 60% agreed with restrictions for the general public
on the days fireworks can be sold and used
Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said:
“The consultation builds on a significant programme
of engagement and evidence gathering and demonstrated the
range of views among those who responded.
“I am committed to making our communities safer and we have
already moved quickly to introduce regulations restricting the
times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to
the public - as well as the times fireworks can be set off.
“We are intent on further improving safety for communities across
Scotland by taking forward the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill at
the earliest opportunity to ensure appropriate action is taken
over the sale and use of fireworks and to reduce the misuse of
pyrotechnic devices such as flares.”
Background
There were a total of 1,739 responses to the consultation with
the majority from individual members of the public and 64 from
groups or organisations. In addition to the main online
consultation, 12 online workshop events were held. Not all
respondents answered every question. As with all consultations,
the findings presented here represent the views of those who
chose to respond to the consultation and cannot be said to
represent the views of the Scottish public more widely.
The proposed Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill is in addition
to new
regulations which came into force at the end of June
restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can
be supplied to the public - as well as the times fireworks can be
set off.
The 2021 consultation builds on a consultation carried
out in 2019, an opinion poll
representative of the views of adults in Scotland and
a review of
international evidence.
