Firework safety

Fireworks are a traditional part of enjoying celebrations such as bonfire night or New Year but they are also the cause of hundreds of serious accidents every year.

Halloween and firework night has caused problems for Southwark's communities in the past.

Southwark Council and Southwark Police take your concerns seriously and extra work is being done to reduce the likelihood of firework misuse and deliberate fire setting. We will use the full extent of our powers to make sure those who cause damage and nuisance are dealt with.

We will not tolerate:

• Criminal damage of our estates and parks
• Eggs or missiles being thrown in public
• Illegal bonfires in public places such as parks or open land on housing estates
• Fireworks being set off in public places or after 11pm
• The sale of fireworks to under 18s.

If you know of anybody letting off fireworks dangerously, damaging your area to build bonfires or selling fireworks to young people, please call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 020 7525 5777.

The law now prohibits any person under the age of 18 from possessing fireworks in a public place. Those caught damaging property, building illegal bonfires or letting off fireworks dangerously could receive:

• Fixed penalty notices and on the spot fines
• Criminal prosecution
• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC's)
• Injunctions.

If you are a council tenant, or tenant of a housing association property, the council or your landlord may take you to court and ask for you to be evicted from your home.