Fireworks campaigner makes direct appeal to Burnham

A Bradford woman who has campaigned for almost a decade against the anti-social use of fireworks has said meeting the prime minister has given her fresh hope that long-awaited action is finally within reach.

Inayah Sher raised the issue directly with Andy Burnham during his recent visit to Bradford, where he launched a national crackdown on illegal waste dumping.

She told him people across the district were being subjected to fireworks late at night, as well as having to clean up the debris left in neighbourhoods, and said the PM listened attentively to her concerns.

"I spoke to him about the nuisance and menace of fireworks, and I believe he is going to take action," she said.

Sher's leading role in the campaign has made her a regular point of contact for residents affected by the problem.

She said she regularly received calls, messages and videos as residents shared concerns.

One piece of footage sent to her was recorded recently by a patient from a Bradford hospital bed shortly before midnight.

Fireworks could be seen and heard outside the window while the patient sounded distressed.

Sher said years of campaigning had been "hard, exhausting and stressful", while the problem had recently gone "from bad to worse".

But she said meeting the prime minister had given campaigners "a new lease of life" and confidence that their concerns were finally reaching the highest level of government.

Campaigners want public firework sales banned, greater police powers, stronger enforcement and fines for those breaking the law.

In a direct appeal, Sher said: "Prime Minister, you've listened to the people of Bradford and heard how difficult it is.

"Please don't forget us. Please take action. Don't let this be another case of talk and no action."

Her intervention comes as the government launches a 12-week consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Proposals include restricting noisier fireworks for general sale, adding products to the banned list and reviewing regulations covering lower-risk fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Bradford Council is urging residents, businesses and organisations to take part.

Its "Bang Out of Order" campaign highlights the distress caused by loud fireworks throughout the year and late at night.

The authority said its officers had contacted wedding venues to discourage fireworks at celebrations, and distributed publicity across the district.

Councillor Ian Walker, executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, said fireworks had been a "headache" locally for years, disrupting sleep, frightening animals and distressing people with noise sensitivity or PTSD.

"We share the frustration felt by many," he said.

"We would encourage people to take part in this consultation and try to get national laws changed which will finally cut the noise and distress experienced by so many."

There has also been growing political pressure across the parties for action on the issue.

Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party group on Bradford Council, said: "We know that fireworks are part of celebrations for many families across Bradford, but not every celebration needs them.

"Quieter alternatives that cause less disruption exist.

"The law as it stands makes it far too easy for a small number of people to cause that misery, and far too hard to stop them.

"That is why it is so important that people take part in this consultation.

"The fact that the government is proposing changes at all is the result of pressure from the public, so it is more important now than ever that as many people as possible have their say."

Sher also urged Bradford residents to take part in the consultation.

"The government is listening, our MPs are listening and our councillors are listening," she said.

"Now it's up to us to ensure their words turn into action."

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