Privacy settings

Fireworks

We are often asked to clarify what the law is regarding fireworks. Retailers must only sell fireworks that conform to British Safety Standards and meet certain noise conditions. They must have BS 7114 printed on the box. Unless they have a special licence, suppliers must only sell fireworks during the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Enforcement rests with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards (tel. 0808 223 1133).

In regulations made under the Fireworks Act 2003, it is an offence for under 18s to possess fireworks in a public place and for anyone to let fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am). The only exemptions to this law are on 5 November when you can set them off until midnight and New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali when they can be set off until 1am.

Enforcement rests with the police who have the power to issue penalty notices (£80.00) for disorder of these offences.  

It is also an offence under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 to throw or set off fireworks in any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place. The power to enforce this section of the Act also rests with the police.

It is very unlikely that fireworks will ever be frequent enough from any particular premises to constitute a statutory nuisance.

Further guidance can be found in the Government publication titled "Celebrating with bonfires and fireworks" a copy of which can be downloaded from this page.

 

Top
Winchester City Council logo

Cookies Policy

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Some of these cookies are necessary to make the site work. We’d also like to use optional cookies to help improve your experience on the site. You can manage your optional cookie preferences below. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. Your preferences can be changed at any time.

Review your privacy settings