Judith welcomes moves to tackle fireworks misuse

Judith has welcomed plans to consult on lowering the noise level of fireworks.

“I have long campaigned to get a reduction in the noise level of fireworks that can be sold to the public,” said Judith.  “I am pleased that government is now looking seriously at this.”

The government has announced plans for a public consultation on the abuse and misuse of fireworks as part of its ‘Safer Streets’ campaign.  This will look at lowering the legal noise limit for fireworks alongside updating the list of banned fireworks and reviewing the criteria for the ‘lower-risk’ category fireworks.

Anti-social firework use is recognised as a serious issue across Bradford and poses a year-round noise nuisance to residents, disturbing people and pets.

Welcoming the announcement Judith said:

“Most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, but people in Bradford know only too well the year-round blight of fireworks misuse caused by a thoughtless few.

That is why after years of campaigning, it is fantastic to finally have a government that is listening and taking people’s concerns seriously.

I will continue to push for action at the highest levels of government, and I will be encouraging my constituents and everyone across Bradford to make their views known when the consultation launches.”

Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, has long campaigned for tougher laws against fireworks misuse.

In 2024, Judith brought the Fireworks (Noise Limits) Bill to Parliament to curb the noisiest fireworks by calling for the maximum legal limit fireworks used outside of professional displays to be reduced from 120 decibels, about the volume of a pneumatic drill, to 90 decibels, about the volume of a ringing telephone.

Judith recently met with Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Consumer Protection, to express her constituents’ concerns about the year-round misuse of fireworks in Bradford. (pictured below)

And, on Bonfire Week last year, Judith hosted a local roundtable which brought together senior leadership at Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to explore what more can be done in Bradford to tackle nuisance and anti-social firework use.