A group of Llanelli Councillors are calling for authorities to work together tackle the recent spate of fireworks that have disturbed residents all over Llanelli.
The trio of Councillors; Michael Cranham from Bigyn, Sean Rees from Glanymor and John Jenkins from Stradey and Furnace, met socially distant today to discuss what practical action can be taken to reduce firework-related disturbance.
Locally, the Councillors have called on Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys police to work together to target the causes of the disturbance.
It is illegal to set off fireworks from a public space and from a private space after 11 pm – two laws which are currently being widely flouted. The Councillors have called on the police to target known hotspots which are the cause of frequent, repeated complaints.
Councillor John Jenkins said, “In my experience, it is the same ‘usual suspects’ that are causing the most disturbance and police need to tackle these areas strongly with zero tolerance enforcement action.”
Fireworks during the Welsh Government “firebreak” are classed as non-essential products. Allegations have been made that some shops are flouting that ban and are also selling top end exhibition-strength fireworks to under-aged people.
Councillor Sean Rees continued, “It is a growing Anti-Social Behaviour issue and nuisance. There needs to be a set of measures introduced which can help to protect vulnerable people and animals from any distress or anxiety caused by unexpected firework noise & pollution. I feel there needs to be more consideration for others.”
The group were united in calling for noise-emitting fireworks to be banned from sale for future years.
Councillor Michael Cranham added, “There is no need for loud fireworks to be on sale to the public. In normal years, properly run public displays are the only events that need noisy fireworks. It is the loud bangs from max-strength fireworks that are causing the most disturbance and we as a group can see no justification for these to be on public sale.
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