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A petition demanding restrictions on the sale of fireworks has attracted more than 40,000 signatures, meaning the UK Government is expected to respond shortly. Launched by Robert Branch, the petition urges the Government to restrict the sale of fireworks to those organising local council-approved events. Its description reads: "Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public to minimise the harm caused to vulnerable people and animals. "Defenceless animals can die from the distress caused by fireworks. "I believe that permitting unregulated use of fireworks is an act of wide-scale cruelty to animals.", reports the Manchester Evening News . Having now accumulated more than 40,000 signatures, the Government is anticipated to publish a statement shortly. This is not the first petition requesting tighter controls on firework sales. Last year, the Government released a statement after a comparable petition secured more than 80,000 signatures. That petition was titled: "Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only," with further description stating: "Fireworks killed our mum, Josephine Smith. Her home was attacked using fireworks. "We believe the use of fireworks after sale to the public cannot be policed. We think all displays should be licensed and sales limited to licence holders only." Responding to the petition, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) stated it treats misuse of fireworks "seriously" and that addressing anti-social behaviour remains a key priority. In its response, issued back in December 2024, the DBT said: "The Government takes the misuse of fireworks issues seriously. Where local issues are identified, councils and the police have powers to protect the public from misuse and harm. "Misuse of fireworks and illegal possession offenses are subject to an unlimited fine and/or six months in prison." The matter was discussed in Parliament on 9 December 2024, with Conservative MP Robbie Moore concluding: "We must recognise the freedom to enjoy fireworks, but above all else we must protect the liberties of those who are so devastatingly affected, because there is certainly no freedom for those who are trapped in their homes throughout the year because of fireworks misuse. "If the illegal use of fireworks cannot be curtailed, the only option we are left with is stricter regulation at the point of sale. Although it may be difficult to catch an offender using fireworks, it is surely easier for authorities to ensure that regulations are followed at the point of sale, and to advise fireworks businesses to use discretion when they fear that fireworks may be used improperly." The Government must respond to petitions receiving over 10,000 signatures, whilst those reaching 100,000 signatures will be considered for parliamentary debate.
