Tougher fireworks laws demanded by Keighley MP Robbie Moore

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KEIGHLEY MP Robbie Moore has called for a change in fireworks laws during a debate in Parliament.

Leading a discussion by the petitions committee, he spoke of the "nightmare" caused to householders and animals across the district.

Mr Moore said urgent Government action was needed to introduce tighter restrictions on the use and sales of fireworks.

He told the committee: "In Riddlesden – in my own constituency – just before Christmas, fireworks led to the tragic death of a family’s foal, known as King. Terrified of nearby fireworks, it is believed King bolted in the night. He was found by a local farmer the next morning, impaled on a piece of farm machinery. Let that be a message to anyone who still says fireworks are merely a matter of harmless fun."

In preparation for the debate, Mr Moore had met with representatives of organisations including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Anxiety UK, Help for Heroes and The Firework Campaign UK.

He outlined to committee members some broader impacts of fireworks, including noise distress for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and sensory issues for people with processing disorders.

Mr Moore added: "Enough is enough. Public support for national change on fireworks is overwhelming.

"Fireworks disturb the peace of entire neighbourhoods, terrify pets and leave vulnerable people trapped in their own homes throughout the year.

"If we choose to continue to ignore this issue, then I fear it is inevitable there will be more unnecessary deaths, injuries and traumas for the victims of fireworks in the future. The Government has the power to end this nightmare, and it should do so without delay."

He said the stockpiling and illegal sales of fireworks was becoming increasingly common.

And he cited incidents where emergency services had come under attack.

He said: "In a distressing number of cases, emergency services in Keighley have come under attack from criminals using fireworks as weapons. Yet unlike the illegal use of knives, fireworks seem to get a free pass.

"The biggest problem with fireworks crimes is enforcement. Until a firework is lit illegally, no crime has been committed. And by the time the police spot and respond to a firework in the sky, those responsible will have fled the scene or disposed of what little evidence there was to begin with. Simply put, it is incredibly difficult to enforce the current laws regulating firework use."

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