Yorks new firework enforcement patrols

For the first time, officers from City of York Council’s Community Safety Hub will be working alongside police colleagues on Bonfire Night weekend to tackle fireworks-related incidents using their new Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) powers.

This pilot scheme will run on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November alongside regular police enforcement and the weekend noise patrol and will include additional support for residents needing advice on fireworks.

Legislation says that fireworks can only be bought and owned by people aged 18 and over and can only be let off between 7am and 11pm but on 5 November they can be used until midnight – and should not be thrown at all. Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals and it is an offence for a member of the public to have one.

Officers advise that noisier fireworks are better for early evening events while later in the evening, opt for fireworks with colour rather than noise. The fireworks should be lit away from neighbouring properties to minimise their impact on others.

Anyone with concerns about firework danger should call the police on 101, while for concerns about noise levels, please call the council’s noise patrol line on 01904 551 555 which will be live from 9pm to 3am on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November. If the line is engaged, please leave a message and it will be answered.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ firework code is at: www.saferfireworks.com/

bonfires

Extra noise patrols in York in run up to Bonfire Night

Bonfire night can be fun for all, but if it creates nuisance to neighbours, the council can take enforcement action. That’s the message from City of York Council this autumn.

Midsummer bonfire against a night sky, moon

The council is reminding residents that garden waste can be disposed of by composting, recycling or through the green bin rather than heaping it on a bonfire – especially if it’s damp. Gardeners can use a topical check list of bonfire night do’s and don’ts relevant at any time of year:

• It’s best to burn materials when they are dry

• Household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic foam or paint should never be burned and should be disposed of at York’s household waste recycling centres

• Never use engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire

• Try and light fires when light wind will carry smoke away from your neighbours

Thanks to funding from the Safer York Partnership, the council will be running extra noise patrols to help tackle the problems of excessive bonfire smoke and noise in the days surrounding the event.

The council has put together a helpful list of do’s and don’ts for bonfire night events, but it will also be happy to offer practical advice to those holding their own fireworks events, if require d.

We will be running extra patrols on 5 November to help tackle any potential problems. Residents can call the council’s environmental protection unit (EPU) on 01904 551555.

Extra noise patrols will run on:

Thursday 31 October, 10pm-1am

Friday 1 November, 9pm-3am

Saturday 2 November, 9pm-3am

Sunday 3 November, 6-11pm

Thursday 5 November, 10pm-1am

Residents can contact the EPU on: Environmental.protection@york.gov.uk

There is more information on bonfires at: http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200360/air_pollution/486/air_pollution/2