The leader of Oldham Council has spoken out on social media after fireworks continued to cause a nuisance in the area. 

Arooj Shah took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday (July 29) to slam the use of fireworks in Oldham, even calling for them to be banned.

In a post, Cllr Shah said: "There actually needs to be a ban on fireworks.

"Some selfish people think it’s okay to let them off at nearly midnight.

Images of nuisance fireworks shared with our reporter, Olivia Bridge, in August 2023 (Image: Daz Kenny)

"It’s disgusting and I’m just sick of it.

"I don’t care what you’re celebrating, I’m not being forced to share the occasion.

"So inconsiderate and disrespectful!"

Fireworks have been a persistent issue in Oldham for quite some time and last year, a wedding venue in Oldham which denied allowing its guests to use fireworks was hit with a banning order.

The ban came after residents in Chadderton claimed excessively loud displays were frequently occurring at the venue.

The discarded fireworks on the premises include Scorpion 'world destroyer' which cost up to £300 >The discarded fireworks on the premises include Scorpion 'world destroyer' which cost up to £300 > (Image: Carole Schofield/Facebook)

In the replies to Cllr Shah's post, resident Erin Rudkin said: "It was very, very close to our home so our dog was extremely upset and took more than an hour to settle.

"On an already hot and clammy night it was very difficult all round!

"Needs to be a greater clamp down on it but I know it must be hard to pin it down location wise."

In response to Ms Rudkin's comment, Cllr Shah agreed there is difficulty in locating the source of the fireworks, saying this incident sounded like they were 'directly outside' her home, when they in fact were not.

Chadderton is still suffering with the issue, and residents told The Oldham Times last month of their struggles and shared images of discarded fireworks boxes. 

Residents in Chadderton shared their struggles with 'constant' fireworks being let off at late hoursResidents in Chadderton shared their struggles with 'constant' fireworks being let off at late hours (Image: Melanie Haigh)

Most recently, again in Chadderton, firework boxes and residue from a fire was found on Clayton Playing fields. 

Posting in a local community group on Tuesday (July 31), one man said: "To the people who were setting huge fireworks off last night just before midnight on the playing field facing the VW garage THANKS.

"And they have left all their burnt s**t and firework boxes in the middle of the field it seems anti social behaviour is ok for some and not for others"

READ MORE: Oldham residents criticise 'nightmare' fireworks

On July 24, a woman said: "Fireworks going off again last night after midnight, just near our house it's disgraceful.

"It was like bombs going off lighting up the bedrooms where we're trying to sleep.

"Something needs to be done, what has happened to Chadderton."

Many more posts have been made in recent months, with residents saying they are 'sick' of the nuisance and saying it is 'ruining lives'.

In June, Superintendent Phillip Hutchinson, from Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham district, said that once reports of nuisance fireworks are received, they work to assess the incident and make ensure they are being used 'within the confines of the law'.

He said: "He said: “While some may think that fireworks can be harmless fun, others can be distressed by the problems that can ensue from their use: noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour.

READ MORE: 'Nightly' misery over fireworks as display boxes found

“In addition to taking a strong stance on making sure fireworks are used properly, our school engagement officers actively work with the youth in our community in order to highlight the risks.

“I would ask anyone with any issues or concerns to continue to raise them with us or the council in order to aid us with our plan to tackle such anti-social behaviour."

According to the law, fireworks may not be set off between the hours of 11pm and 7am, except for New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. 

A large amount of fireworks discarded in ChaddertonA large amount of fireworks discarded in Chadderton (Image: Melanie Haigh)

The law also states that fireworks may only be purchased for private use between October 15 and November 10, December 26 and 30 and three days before Chinese New Year or Diwali.

At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.

Punishment for breaking these laws includes imprisonment for up to six months, being fined an unlimited amount and an on the spot £90 fine.

Also last month, an Oldham Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the issues fireworks are having locally and we appreciate and understand the frustrations of residents.

“Rest assured we are taking the issue seriously and work is already underway with our partners, including GMP and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to address it.

“We’ll be inspecting businesses which sell fireworks to make sure they are sticking to the law and we’ll act if they aren’t.

“Last year we ordered a number of wedding venues to stop using fireworks after we received complaints – and we will do that again if it is required."