A POLICE statement on social media that aims to ‘remind people’ of firework regulations has sparked calls for venues behind illegal displays to be fined or their licenses revoked.

Chadderton GMP took to Facebook on Monday to remind residents that it’s illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on certain occasions including Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali, and Chinese New Year, after reports of fireworks being let off in the Chadderton area.

The post was hit by a torrent of comments from residents demanding that police fine venues responsible for the displays.

Using fireworks illegally carries a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison. There are also on-the-spot fines of £90.

One person wrote: “If a venue was playing loud music past licensing hours, it would have its licence revoked, the premises repeatedly setting off fireworks after the legal time cut off should face the same punishment.”

A second said: “There has been fireworks every night for the last six weeks at least. Most of those nights after 11pm. And they are full displays lasting five to 10 minutes. Not just random people letting off one or two. The venues continuously doing this need to be fined.”

In response to the complaints, inspector Stephen McCluskey, from GMP’s Chadderton and Werneth neighbourhood team, said: “We are aware of the issues with fireworks in our local community, and very much appreciate the frustrations and disruption caused by this.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and provide a presence in the evening to help deter those acting in an anti-social manner, including setting off fireworks after 11pm. We are also working with partners to help identify those responsible, and identify key areas of threat.

"Collaborative work includes visits to premises in the local area, and also possible hot spots around the identified locations to help alleviate any opportunities to partake in this behaviour. As displays can last for short amount of time, it can be extremely difficult to identify key persons therefore I would like to reiterate that reports should continue to be made for fireworks continually being set off during the hours of 11pm-7am, as this feeds into our intelligence gathering and patrol plans.”

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, deputy leader of Oldham Council, said: “Our Environmental Health team have written to wedding venues advising them of their responsibilities, but we believe it is individuals letting the fireworks off rather than the businesses themselves, making this almost impossible to police.”

Oldham Council leader Cllr Arooj Shah added: “After years of cuts to officer numbers our police force are stretched enough, without having to deal with irresponsible people setting off fireworks late at night.

"The people who do this need to show more respect for their neighbours, and any venues that facilitate it should stamp it out so our police can focus on stopping serious crime."