Overview
- Fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am on normal days, with a 1am cut-off on New Year’s Eve.
- Police say breaches can bring an on-the-spot £90 fine, prosecution with unlimited fines, and up to six months in prison.
- Retail sales for private use are only permitted from December 26 to 31, with other windows tied to Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
- Buyers must be 18 or over, and under‑18s break the law if they possess fireworks in public, apart from sparklers and party poppers.
- Display‑grade Category 4 fireworks are for professionals only, and throwing any firework in streets or other public places is illegal.