Keep Your Community Safe this Bonfire Season

Make safety a priority this Bonfire Night. In the run up to 5th November, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council (GCC) are committed to keeping communities safe around 5th November. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, annual organised bonfire events across Glasgow have been cancelled. Unauthorised bonfires and firework displays have resulted in serious harm and injury in the past and are not encouraged within local communities.

Bonfires and the Law:

 It is an offence under Section 56 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 for any person to light a fire in a public place so as to endanger any other person or give them reasonable cause for alarm or annoyance or so as to endanger any property.

 It is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to possess fireworks.

 Throwing fireworks or setting them off in a public place is illegal.

 You are not permitted to use fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am on any day except on 5th November when the curfew extends to midnight.

 It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals.

In previous years, Glasgow has suffered high levels of anti-social behaviour and disorder, criminal damage and attacks on Police Officers and other emergency service colleagues during bonfire night activities. The extent of the disorder, carried out by a small number of irresponsible people, placed residents, members of the public and emergency services at significant risk or harm and injury.

Although no organised events will take place this year, Policing of bonfire night will be robust, and we will take immediate action where individuals attempt to prevent or disrupt the work of the emergency services. The safety of the local community and our frontline services remains paramount; any behaviour that places people or property at risk will not be tolerated and may lead to prosecution and may also affect your tenancy.

How you can help keep your community safe:

 Unless supervised by an adult, please do not allow your children or young people to handle, purchase or set off fireworks.

 Please report any ASB or disorder to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

 Report any flytipping/ large objects that could form part of a bonfire to GCC for removal – 0141 287 9700.

 Please report any known unauthorised bonfires or firework displays to Police, Fire and Rescue (999) or Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111.

 Please report any unauthorised fireworks sellers to Police or Crimestoppers.

Put safety first: Everyone should be following COVID-19 household restrictions and social distancing measures. Please refer to the latest covid guidelines on household gatherings at https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact:

 Your Local Problem Solving Policing Team: Telephone 101 or email GreaterGlasgowLPST@Scotland.pnn.police.uk

 GCC Neighbourhoods and Sustainability: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/reportasb

Thank you for your understanding and assistance.