COUNCIL bosses could write to the Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit firework sales to licensed firework operators and prevent their sale to the general public.

Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs also want to also limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90 decibels for those sold for private displays.

Executive member for prevention, Cllr Mustafa Desai, is asking fellow councillors to back his proposal at a council forum meeting next week.

He said: “Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. Whilst they can bring much enjoyment to some people when used in the right way, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals.

“Animals are particularly vulnerable to their use with the RSPCA raising repeated concerns with government as detailed in their “Bang Out of Order” report.

“This notes that “loud noises, that are unpredictable and out of an animal’s control – as is the case with fireworks – are particularly stressful for them. Being unpredictable, as well as intermittent and relatively infrequent, also makes it unlikely that animals will acclimatise to fireworks noise.”

“This isn’t just an issue for domestic animals and wildlife. Vulnerable people can become confused and disorientated by the noise of fireworks, and of further concern individuals and groups can and do put themselves at risk of harm through their inappropriate use with significant resources locally having to be deployed each year to police private and unofficial events through the BrightSpark programme.”

If Cllr Desai’s motion is passed, the council will in future request that organisers of all public firework displays within Blackburn with Darwen advertise them in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

And the council will resolve to support public awareness about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.

Last year, it was revealed council bosses were looking at how they could tighten licensing laws to prevent fireworks being sold to irresponsible people.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council overview and scrutiny committee meeting heard there had been concern about young people throwing fireworks.

And fire engines and marked police cars had been targets in recent years, according to councillors.

Director of adults and prevention, Sayyed Osman, said: “We have been working with communities for a number of years to develop more responsible attitudes to Bonfire Night. Unmarked cars have been successful and we used them extensively this year because it means they don’t become a target for people throwing things.

“People think it’s fun but they don’t realise the risks they are putting themselves at and, while we are working to keep the community safe, there is still a lot of very irresponsible use of fireworks.

“As a borough we are continuing to work with authorities nationally to look at what we can bring forward and if we can restrict firework sales to organised displays. At this moment in time it’s difficult.

“It does not take a lot to cause serious injury and once someone has got hold of fireworks, it’s very hard to enforce anything.”