Residents across Oldham claim nuisance fireworks have become an 'endemic' problem in the borough for years.

Although complaints about fireworks tend to rise in the summer months, residents say the problem persists all year round as people flout the rules by letting off loud displays during unsociable hours.

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Residents have said they are "sick" of the problem which keeps many awake at night.

Here is everything you need to know about what the law says and how you can make a formal complaint to the local authorities about the trouble.

The law on fireworks

There are four different type of categories - with category one referring to 'throwdown fireworks', like firecrackers, bangers and party poppers, categories two and three refer to 'adult fireworks' available in the shops and the fourth category reserved for professional display fireworks that can only be bought from specialist suppliers.

According to The Fireworks Regulations 2004 and The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, anyone over the age of 16 can buy, carry or use category one fireworks and from the age of 18 can buy, carry or use category one, two and three fireworks.

Only licenced professionals can buy, carry and use category four fireworks.

The law also states fireworks must not be let off after 11pm and before 7am, except on certain occasions such as Bonfire Night, when the curfew is midnight, and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut-off is 1am.

It is an offence to throw or set off any fireworks, which includes sparklers and those listed in category one, into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public space.

Fireworks can be purchased for private use between October 15 and November 10, December 26 and 30 and three days before Chinese New Year or Diwali.

Beyond these dates, fireworks can only be purchased from licensed fireworks shops.

What is the punishment for setting off fireworks?

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

The Council also holds powers to issue banning orders to premises.

For example, a wedding venue in Oldham was hit with a prohibition order for its use of fireworks in August 2023.

Where to report fireworks misuse in Oldham

So, how can Oldham residents go about making a fireworks complaint?

If fireworks are being let off in the street and/or after 11pm, a report for antisocial behaviour can be made directly to Greater Manchester Police.

Follow this link to report antisocial behaviour with GMP.

As for instances of repeat offenders or where someone is persistently letting off fireworks outside the permitted timeframe, Oldham Council's environmental health team can be contacted via email at ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk.

Oldham Council's environmental team can also be contacted in instances where people are setting off fireworks during the permitted times, but may still be persistently letting them off and causing a nuisance.

Where residents suspect a shop in the borough could be flouting the rules, such as by not having a licence, selling fireworks outside the permitted times or selling them to underage people, contact Oldham Council's trading standards team.

The team can be contacted via this email, tradingstandards@oldham.gov.uk 

How are the fireworks affecting you? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk with your tip-offs, stories and concerns.