Inside 'nightmare' neighbourhood where fireworks are constantly going off

05 November 2023 , 12:22

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People living in Alum Rock say the evenings descend into chaos as anti-social yobs let off fireworks in streets and near gardens and cars, before dumping huge boxes of empty cartridges (Image: BPM Media)

Residents in one neighbourhood are living a "nightmare" due to constant fireworks being set off in the streets.

The people of Alum Rock, Birmingham, describe their evenings as chaotic, with anti-social individuals setting off fireworks near gardens and cars late into the early hours of the morning. A young mum revealed her toddler struggles to sleep because of the noise, while an elderly couple are constantly being woken up.

A pet owner shared that his animals become distressed and "rip up the house" after the first round of fireworks, which usually start around 11pm. The residents have reported the issue to West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council over the years, but they feel helpless as the problem persists.

They claim that several 24-hour shops in Alum Rock sell fireworks, contributing to the early morning disturbances. Birmingham City Council stated that Trading Standards do carry out checks and complaints to the council have "dropped dramatically." Some locals are calling for stricter regulation of firework sales, while others urge the council to work with the police to curb the anti-social behaviour.

Fred Harris, who lives in Alum Rock, Birmingham, where residents say evenings have become a 'nightmare' with anti-social fireworks let off in the street (BPM Media)

Fred Harris, 66, a long-time resident of Fernbank Road, described the problem to BirminghamLive: "It can be anywhere from 6pm to or 3 am." He also mentioned how the loud firework sounds have caused his dog to damage parts of the house.

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Not far away, Tracy Hall revealed that she's become an insomniac due to the fireworks. She explained: "You can hear them way off and within half an hour they get closer and closer, it's almost like a signalling device but it's really strange you know they're coming your way."

She continued: "I understand with Asian weddings, but this is different, this is after 11:30pm, the latest is 2am in the morning. It is that loud, it's not even a subtle firework. It's display fireworks, it sounds like."

Tracy also expressed concern for her neighbours with young children and shared her own struggles as a NHS worker. A few doors down, Asma Parveen said the bangs go off two to three times a week which disturbs her family of six. Further down on Sutton Approach, Tracy Stanton said her parents are having a "nightmare" with the fireworks.

Tracy shared: "It was in the day time the other day. It does scare the kids, my mum and dad are always going on about it. They're constantly getting woken up by it. mum will say: 'Did you hear those fireworks last night?'"

Last month, Liam Byrne, Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, called on the council and police to address the issue of problem fireworks in the east of the city. Mr Byrne mentioned that several frustrated constituents had reached out to him, suggesting a taskforce to tackle the issue.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council explained: "Trading Standards' role is around ensuring they are not sold to those under age and that only those with a CE mark are available to the public. They do carry out checks and do test purchasing and it is worth adding that complaints have dropped dramatically in the last few years - in 2018 there were no complaints at all, and 2019 and 2020 there were just two each year and none in the last two years."

A representative from West Midlands Police warned: "Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, and when used irresponsibly, can cause damage to property and do significant harm to people and animals. Not only is there a danger from fireworks exploding, they pose a serious fire risk too. That is why members of the public may only use fireworks on private property such as their own back gardens. Only licensed professionals can use them in public places.

"At this time of year reports of people using fireworks in an 'antisocial' manner is not uncommon but this dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated. If you're having an ongoing problem with people setting off fireworks, please report this antisocial behaviour to us by calling 101 or contacting us via LiveChat on our website."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Naomi DeSouza