Basingstoke Online Forum

As Bonfire Night is upon us, Hampshire Constabulary is urging people to be considerate to others and think about the laws surrounding fireworks. What should be a festive event can be become a very miserable occasion for many people living in Hampshire if fireworks are not used in the correct manner.

Extra police officers and Special Constables will be out and about across Hampshire during the busy firework and bonfire period to reassure the public and to deal with any incidents which arise.

Chief Inspector Cliff Williams, Hampshire Constabulary’s Safer Streets lead said: “Bonfire Night should be an enjoyable and safe occasion for everyone. However, people should remember that fireworks are not toys and it is illegal for anyone to set off or throw fireworks in the street.

“Fireworks can be extremely dangerous when misused and can cause serious injury and even death. We are urging people to be sensible and careful and we don’t want anyone hurt or distressed because of the stupidity of someone else’s behaviour with fireworks.”

It is an offence to set off fireworks after midnight on November 5 and after 11:00pm on any other night, excluding New Years Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali night. Individuals found setting of fireworks at unsocial hours will be given an £80 fixed penalty notice.

Those who fail to pay the penalty notice will face an increased fine of £120 and court action.

Anyone under the age of 18 caught possessing adult fireworks in a public place or throwing fireworks in the street will also be issued with an £80 penalty notice.

This year’s Bonfire Night also falls within National Specials Week and Special Constables will be on patrol to support their regular colleagues.


Categories of Fireworks

One (NOT adult Fireworks): Party popper, sparkler, cap, cracker snap, novelty match, serpent or thrown-down.
Two (adult fireworks): Garden Fireworks
Three (Adult fireworks): Consumer display fireworks
Four (Adult fireworks): Professional display fireworks

The main offences concerning fireworks are to:

Possess adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
Possess category four fireworks if you are not a fireworks professional
Supply adult fireworks and sparklers to anyone who is under 18
Set off or throw fireworks in the street

Like the police are going to enforce something like setting off fireworks, when then don't enforce anything else except blues & twos when they are late for lunch!

do I detect a cynic

No, just a realist.

Our car window was smashed last night. We have a crime number. That is all.

(30-10-2008 09:47 PM)Della Wrote: [ -> ]No, just a realist.

Our car window was smashed last night. We have a crime number. That is all.

You need the crime number to put pressure on getting the police to do anything. If people dont report stuff they can hide behind the "facts" and say they have no need to do owt. We have the same issue in the Holy Ghost Cemetery which is currently being terrorised by ne'er do wells drinking and damaging the place.

non-stick is absolutely right, you have to report all crimes that way the more unresolved crimes that appear on their books the more chance that more resources are thrown at the problem.

Sorry to hear about your window Della, it happened to me many times a few years back and it's maddening (and expensive) however all you will get is a crime number as there isn't any thing elese they can do unless you have a witness or other physical evidence. What will happen though is the crime is noted and if other similar crimes are reported in your area you will (or should) get police patrols in your area.

erm, I did report it. That is how I got a crime number. However all I have is a crime number.

We have harassment orders against some local youths. I assume that they did it until proved otherwise. One of them has previously been convicted of throwing a brick at our car causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the bonnet. Questioning them would be a good place to start.

Meanwhile this afternoon my son was stopped by 2 WPCs as he returned to his motorbike in a town centre car park. The reason given was that they had done an PNC check and it had come back that he had no insurance. He does have insurance and I am completely sure of this. When he was insistent that his bike was fully legal, the WPCs called 2 colleagues and 2 officers in plain clothes arrived in a short time. In all, 4 officers spent a further half an hour each issuing my son with a producing slip - which has only been filled in half way down, (the carbon paper didn't reach to the bottom) so we have no clue what to produce.

In my opinion, that time would have been better spent looking into the behaviour of the local yobs rather than wandering round town centre car parks running registration checks on motorbikes.

(31-10-2008 08:24 PM)Della Wrote: [ -> ]erm, I did report it. That is how I got a crime number. However all I have is a crime number.

We have harassment orders against some local youths. I assume that they did it until proved otherwise. One of them has previously been convicted of throwing a brick at our car causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the bonnet. Questioning them would be a good place to start.

Meanwhile this afternoon my son was stopped by 2 WPCs as he returned to his motorbike in a town centre car park. The reason given was that they had done an PNC check and it had come back that he had no insurance. He does have insurance and I am completely sure of this. When he was insistent that his bike was fully legal, the WPCs called 2 colleagues and 2 officers in plain clothes arrived in a short time. In all, 4 officers spent a further half an hour each issuing my son with a producing slip - which has only been filled in half way down, (the carbon paper didn't reach to the bottom) so we have no clue what to produce.

In my opinion, that time would have been better spent looking into the behaviour of the local yobs rather than wandering round town centre car parks running registration checks on motorbikes.

It's almost 10:30 and they're going off round here - why when it gets dark at around 6pm is there any need to set them off this late?

Be interesting to see what happens if it continues past 11