Strict rules around the sale of fireworks have come into force just ahead of bonfire night after parts of West Lothian have become a “war zone” in recent years.
Tighter regulations on firework sales - making it a criminal offence to buy them for under 18s - will be in force in the run up to bonfire night.
It comes after a West Lothian village was praised for tackling firework yobs head on after years of disorder.
In Blackburn in 2018 police attended multiple incidents in the town where gangs of youths threw fireworks at pedestrians and cars. Video footage published afterwards showed rockets exploding in a residential street after apparently being thrown at a police van.
There were also complaints of fireworks being hoarded in the days before bonfire night before being handed over to teens. One householder said at the time that fireworks were being flung everywhere - except up into the sky.
Blackburn’s Bonfire Night Action Group was set up in the spring of the following year to address anti-social behaviour during the bonfire season.
West Lothian Council will be part of a joint operation including the police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the days around November 5.
Six planned bonfire events have been licensed in the county and these are recommended as the safest way to enjoy the weekend.
And a planned rolling programme to deliver the ‘Fearless’ campaign across all of West Lothian’s high schools continues and is aimed at educating and encouraging 11-16 year olds to speak out about crime.
An anonymous reporting system run by Crimestoppers, Fearless provides a bespoke website offering advice, help and support to young people on the issues surrounding crime and criminality as well as a safe place to provide anonymous information regarding crime and its perpetrators.
Council bosses warned: “Any suspected illegal selling of fireworks should be reported via the Police non-emergency number 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. The Crimestoppers media campaign on the illegal selling of fireworks and misuse of fireworks will support the partnership messages.”
Fire officers began visiting high schools this week.
The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 were amended in 2021 to tighten up regulations around when fireworks can be sold and used.
Fireworks may only be used by the general public during the permitted hours of day 6pm to 11pm.
The exempted days when fireworks may be used outside of these hours are on November 5, when they can be used from 6pm until midnight, New Year’s Eve, the night of Chinese New Year and the night of Diwali, when they can be used from 6pm until 1am.
Trading Standards will try to visit all West Lothian firework retailers to ensure compliance with regulations and to share safety advice for customers. Where possible, Trading Standards will carry out test purchasing of direct sales to under 18’s in retail environments. Locations of confirmed retailers and pop-up shops will be shared with SFRS to update Operational Intelligence.
Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan said: “I’d like to thank all partners involved in this comprehensive report. Many of you will know that in the past misuse a fireworks has been an issue in my own ward of Blackburn and the efforts in recent years through the Blackburn Bonfire Action Group have really made a difference in the community and have significantly reduced the the incidents of anti-social sometimes criminal behaviour in the past of with regards to fireworks. That’s down to partnership efforts.”
A community event sponsored by the action group will take place in Blackburn Partnership Centre on 29thOctober from 1pm to 4pm.
During 2021 the busiest wards during the bonfire plan period were Blackburn and Whitburn, Livingston South, Livingston North, East Livingston and East Calder. Recent trends suggest that Bathgate, Livingston South and Livingston North have experienced the most deliberate fires over the summer months.
Planned fireworks displays will take place on November 4 at West Calder Community playing fields 7pm and on November 5 at Calderwood, East Calder 6pm to 11.30pm, Deer Park Golf and Country Club 6pm-8pm Bedlormie Drive, Blackridge, 3pm to 8pm and Linlithgow Rugby Club 5.30pm to 11pm.
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