Fireworks ban to be introduced in four areas of Glasgow

Fireworks will be banned in more parts of Glasgow later this year, making it an offence for people to set them off.

The four firework control zones will be introduced in Broomhouse, Pollok, Glasgow Harbour and Govanhill and Pollokshields, as two separate zones are now grouped together.

The neighbourhoods of Govanhill and Pollokshields are being covered by a single zone for the crackdown, which will take place between October 30 and November 9.

The rules mean residents cannot set off fireworks anywhere in the zones, including in private property such as gardens, or risk being jailed for up to six months and fined up to £5,000.

Last year, zones were introduced for Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse, which the council said helped reduce noise, disruption and anti-social behaviour in these areas.

Broomhouse and Pollok are home to animal sanctuaries, raising concerns about the distressing impact of fireworks on animals.

A total of 20 applications were submitted for control zones, but not all were granted.

Councillor Laura Doherty, City Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “The misuse of fireworks causes upset and disturbance across the city in late October and early November.

“The three control zones that were introduced last year proved to be effective, with residents in those areas reporting a reduction in the disruption they faced.

“Understandably, we received a large number of applications for zones this year, and we have thoroughly gone through each application in great detail.

“Animals can suffer enormous distress as a consequence of the use of fireworks, and so zones are absolutely needed for Broomhouse and Pollok, where there are animal sanctuaries.

“Last year, residents in Pollokshields and Govanhill gained a much-needed reprieve from the anti-social behaviour they have routinely experienced around Bonfire Night. We have used the powers available to the council to combine all the applications we received from the area into a single, larger zone for Pollokshields and Govanhill.”

The SNP councillor added: “The firework control zones have given the police a very effective tool to tackle firework-related disorder in the most affected communities in Glasgow. We hope the zones again help to lessen the impact of fireworks on Bonfire Night again.”

20 applications for firework control zones were received from communities across the city for this year.

All applications were put forward for public consultation, and available information, including incident data, was then considered by a panel involving Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Separate applications for Pollokshields/Govanhill, Shawlands/Strathbungo, Govanhill and Govanhill/Crosshill have been rolled into one control due to the crossover between the four areas.

Applications for firework control zones were also submitted for Ashlar Village, Bishop Loch, Braidcraft/Damshot, Carntyne/Riddrie, Firhill Basin, Garnethill, Knightswood, Langhaul/Bullwood, Leverndale, Mount Vernon, Shawlands Academy, Shettleston, Temple- Ilay.