POLICE in West Mercia and Warwickshire are reminding the people of Redditch and surrounding areas of the law and fireworks.
They say people under the age of 18 can’t buy ‘adult’ fireworks if you’re under 18, and it’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on certain occasions.
Adult fireworks are category 2 and 3 fireworks – they don’t include things like party poppers.
Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals. The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for:
•Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
•New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
A spokesperson said: “Check with your council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks. Get information about firework safety from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Health and Safety Executive.”
Fireworks can only be bought from registered sellers for private use from October 15 to November 10, December 26 – 31 and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.
At other times fireworks can only be bought from licensed shops.
There are fines of up to £5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally and police can also use on-the-spot fines of £90.
