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Police guidance on Bonfire Night firework curfew and penalties in the UK

Ahead of November 5, the Ask The Police website set out firework rules, including an 11pm–7am curfew on adult fireworks and penalties of up to six months in prison. Gov.uk adds rules on when fireworks can be bought.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Express
Image: Daily Mirror

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Ahead of Bonfire Night on November 5, coverage reports that police have set out the rules on fireworks and the penalties for breaking them. Mixed · 2The guidance comes from Ask The Police, a website run by police forces across the UK, where someone asked what the rules relating to fireworks are. Left · 1There is a curfew on the use of adult fireworks between 11pm and 7am. The Daily Mirror reports exceptions on four nights: Bonfire Night (midnight to 7am), and New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali Night (each 1am to 7am).

Left · 1The Mirror lists offences including under-18s possessing adult fireworks in public, anyone other than a professional possessing category 4 display fireworks, supplying adult fireworks to under-18s, and throwing or firing fireworks into a street or other public space. Mixed · 2Police say setting off fireworks outside curfew hours can bring up to six months in prison and a heavy fine. The Mirror puts the fine at up to £5,000, or unlimited depending on severity and the regulations enforced. Police also warn that using fireworks to cause a nuisance may be an offence. Mixed · 2Gov.uk says fireworks can be bought for private use from registered sellers only on certain dates: October 15 to November 10, December 26 to 31, and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times they can be bought only from licensed shops, and it urges people to check local council rules.

Right · 1Gov.uk says selling or using fireworks illegally can bring an unlimited fine and up to 6 months' imprisonment, and an on-the-spot fine of £90. Mixed · 2Both outlets add background on the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, led by Robert Catesby, which aimed to blow up Parliament and kill King James I; Guy Fawkes was caught with the explosives, and Parliament made November 5 a day of thanksgiving from 1606.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Service-style explainer presenting the police guidance as settling a debate, with the fullest list of offences, categories and curfew exceptions.
Emphasis
Four curfew exceptions, firework categories, offences and the £5,000 fine figure.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not say who raised the 'debate' it refers to.
Charged language
“settled the debate”“hefty fine”
For example
“Police have settled the debate over firework rules and penalties that some people could incur.” — Daily Mirror
“a hefty fine of up to £5,000 - or even unlimited depending on the severity and specific regulations being enforced” — Daily Mirror

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
Near-identical explainer by the same writer, framed as police settling the debate on the exact time fireworks must stop.
Emphasis
Curfew and penalty warning, with Gov.uk purchase rules and history.
Leaves out or plays down
Its text does not state the curfew exceptions or the £5,000 figure, which the Mirror reports.
Charged language
“Police settle November 5 debate”“heavy fine”
For example
“Police say anyone setting off fireworks outside the curfew could face punishment, including a heavy fine and up to six months in jail.” — Daily Express

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