Fireworks sold in van off Luton roadside prompts complaints to council

Luton Borough Council has been talking to Bedfordshire Police about the recent incidents to see whether anyone responsible can be identified.

Hundreds of residents complained on social media last summer about nightly nuisance of fireworks exploding on some of the town's streets.

This prompted an update on regulations about the sale, storage and use of fireworks, which was presented to the council's overview and scrutiny board.

"The legislation is quite disjointed," admitted its service manager of specialist operations, Dave Stevenson.

"There are a lot of regulations and then amendments have been made."

Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor David Franks said he knew of two councillors who had complaints from residents about someone selling fireworks from a van.

"Is that legal?" he asked.

"I doubt a licence would be applicable to a van," replied Mr Stevenson. "But you'd still need to ensure the fireworks were stored safely, so selling them out of the back of a van is probably illegal.

"That might be an issue for the police if they're sold from the public highway."

Service director of public protection, Sarah Hall said: "I'm aware of complaints received regarding a van.

"We've been liaising with the police about potentially identifying the owners and following up on whether those reports could be substantiated."

Around 150 premises were licensed to sell fireworks in Luton in 2004, but this has dropped to 21 now.

"Some of these are quite expensive, so there's an element of consumer demand," explained Mr Stevenson.

"People aren't so keen to spend huge amounts of money on something which only lasts a few seconds."

Conservative Icknield councillor Jeff Petts said: "Numerous people ring up because their pets are terrified and when I ask if they know the culprits they say, 'We can't do that because it's our neighbours.'"

Councillor Franks said: "The council can't take action against people letting off fireworks if it doesn't know who is responsible."

He listed four proposals to recommend to the executive:

> Publicise the fireworks regulations;

> Encourage neighbours to report misuse of fireworks where they can identify the person responsible;

> Make clear who complaints need to be made to;

> Ensure council enforcement action takes place where appropriate.

Labour Round Green councillor Tahmina Saleem objected to the second suggestion, saying: "I don't think it's something we should be encouraging.

"We're getting into hot water where we're encouraging that kind of climate where residents are expected to make complaints about their neighbours, which could lead to problems within communities."

Labour South councillor David Agbley agreed, warning: "I totally oppose having neighbours grassing on each other. As a council, we should leave it to our residents' judgement."

Liberal Democrat Wigmore councillor Peter Chapman said: "If we're really getting society to function, it does require people to take the initiative.

"Unless you do this, nothing's going to happen."

The proposals were approved on the casting vote of Liberal Democrat Sundon Park councillor Anna Pedersen, who chairs the board.

"Otherwise it will just continue this vicious circle of fireworks being lit," she explained.

The proposals will be considered by the executive committee at a later meeting.