A grassroots campaign calling for severe restrictions on fireworks has gained enough public support to compel Parliament to consider debating the matter, after a petition organised by Robert Branch surpassed 130,000 signatures.
Petition demands end to public fireworks sales
The petition, created by Robert Branch, demands that the government prohibit the sale of fireworks to the general public, limiting sales exclusively to organisers of official events approved by local councils. The campaign argues this is necessary to minimise harm to vulnerable people and animals.
The petition states: "Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public to minimise the harm caused to vulnerable people and animals. Defenceless animals can die from the distress caused by fireworks. I believe that permitting unregulated use of fireworks is an act of wide-scale cruelty to animals."
Government response and parliamentary history
By Monday afternoon, November 10, the petition had accumulated nearly 130,000 signatures, comfortably passing the 100,000 threshold that requires Parliament to consider debating the topic. Under official petition rules, the government must respond once a petition receives more than 10,000 signatures.
This isn't the first time fireworks restrictions have been raised through public petitions. Last year, a similar petition entitled "Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only" gathered more than 80,000 signatures. That petition was launched by a family who claimed fireworks killed their mother, Josephine Smith, after her home was attacked using fireworks.
Previous government action and parliamentary debate
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has previously stated it takes fireworks misuse "seriously" and considers tackling anti-social behaviour a top priority. In December 2024, the DBT issued a statement highlighting that councils and police have powers to protect the public from fireworks misuse.
The department noted that misuse of fireworks and illegal possession offences can result in an unlimited fine and/or six months in prison. The matter was previously debated in Parliament on 9 December 2024, with Conservative MP Robbie Moore delivering the final response.
Moore stated at the time: "We must recognise the freedom to enjoy fireworks, but above all else we must protect the liberties of those who are so devastatingly affected, because there is certainly no freedom for those who are trapped in their homes throughout the year because of fireworks misuse."
He added that if illegal firework use cannot be controlled, stricter regulation at the point of sale might be the only remaining option, suggesting it's easier for authorities to enforce regulations with retailers than to catch individual offenders.
The significant public support for the current petition indicates ongoing concern about firework regulation and ensures the matter will receive further parliamentary consideration in the coming months.
