Firework control zones in force in Glasgow for first time

Restrictions banning fireworks in some parts of Glasgow have come into force for the first time after being delayed last year due to a missed deadline.

A firework control zone (FCZ) was meant to be in place in the Pollokshields area of the city last November however it did not go ahead as Glasgow City Council did not issue the legal notice needed to create it in enough time.

This year FCZs are in place in three areas of the city – Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse – in a bid to curb disorder over the Bonfire Night period.

Within the zones it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to set off a firework from November 1 to November 10.

Signs have been put up around the Pollokshields area warning it is an offence to use fireworks (PA). PA Media

This includes private spaces such as back gardens and in public areas, although sparklers are allowed.

Police Scotland will enforce the restrictions and anyone found breaching them can face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

Pollokshields has seen disorder on Bonfire Night in recent years, with locals describing how groups of hooded young men roamed the streets firing large fireworks at buildings, cars and people.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “The introduction of the three firework control zones received strong support from residents in these communities during our public consultation. We carefully considered all applications for a control zone along with our partners in the police and fire services and looked closely at incident data from previous years.

“People have every right to be fed up with the misuse of fireworks experienced around Bonfire Night. We hope the new control zones give the police another tool to tackle firework-related disorder in the most affected communities in Glasgow.”

FCZs came into force in Edinburgh in nine areas of the city on October 31 and they will be in place until November 9.

Police will enforce the restrictions (PA). PA Media

They cover Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield and Sighthill.

Last year emergency services dealt with significant disorder which saw police and firefighters targeted with fireworks, bricks and bottles on November 5.

Parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow were among the worst affected areas.

Police Scotland last week launched Operation Moonbeam, its annual public order response to violence and disorder around Bonfire Night.

The force said more than 60 people were reported for their alleged involvement in fireworks offences last year.

This year, Police Scotland said it is dedicating more resources than ever before to tackling crimes involving fireworks.

Many officers, including those in the Tayside and Edinburgh areas, will be equipped with body-worn video cameras.

Local authorities were given the option to ban the use of fireworks after MSPs passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act in 2022.