Give police powers to stop, search & seize certain fireworks

Give police powers to stop, search & seize certain fireworks

The Bill would give police more powers to stop and search people and seize CAT F2 and F3 fireworks. If a police constable had reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence, the constable may— (a) search that person without warrant, and detain the person for such time as is reasonably required to permit the search to be carried out, (b) stop and search a vehicle (and anything on or in it) without warrant, (c) seize and retain any item found in the course of a search which may be relevant to the suspected offence. If you agree with this proposal, rate it up (👍), if you disagree, rate it down (👎). Please tell us why you agree or disagree using the comment boxes below. Image Credit: Douglas Sinclair, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Points

AGREED

There are always people who will disregard laws or other peoples concerns

The police do not require additional stop and search powers. Experience and research shows which members/sectors of the public predominantly get targeted. Will members of the public crossing the border into Scotland be subject to random spot checks to ensure they are not carrying fireworks? The police should never be given unwarranted stop and search powers.

This is a significant offence with safety implications, as well as animal welfare implications

Disagree police have better things to do

Stop and search was not supported by those taking part but there was agreement that the police should be able to confiscate fireworks if any concerns have been raised. (Erskine Session 3rd March)

Enforce the law properly

If public purchase & use fireworks is banned (as it should be), they will be classed as an offensive weapon like a knife or a firearm. Police already rightly have powers to stop & search for such items.

The Police already have too many stop & search powers. I don't like fireworks but I dislike the slide towards a police state even more. I want to live in 2022 not 1984.

Its an over reach of the stop and search without warrent and will lead to abuse and discrimination along with profiling and look what a mess thats gotten us so far

Absolutely - the Police definitely need the power to do this.

The police have better things do do than this.

Isn't Current law Sufficient regarding this ? Current law is already NOT Enforced sufficiently.

This would give the police more opportunity to keep society safe.

It is too easy for people to claim infringement of civil liberties for carrying any item that can do harm to others whether intentional or otherwise. Fireworks are explosives and as such should have greater controls.

I welcome the idea and all fireworks should be seized and banned!

Police need to be able to enforce laws and if they can’t stop and search then people can symply ignore laws

Laws need to be enforced, and these seem reasonably methods provided the grounds are reasonable and police are not biased.

If it is illegal for people to possess fireworks without a licence, the existing police powers will be enough to handle this. I am concerned that if there is more individual discretion for police officers to stop and search people, there is more scope for discrimination.

The police should be better funded so that they have the resources to enforce existing laws better, because people are breaking current firework laws all the time and the police are seemingly doing nothing about it. More powers won't change this, only create more opportunity for abuse of power.

Public should not have them in the first place

it seems entirely sensible; if you have a law, it has to be enforced.

They should be illegal as far too dangerous

It's over reach - it's already illegal to bring flares into a stadium but they do, so let's make it double illegal, - the police don't have time

Police should never have unwarranted stop and search powers.

Where does this end? The police have enough, more important, things too do.

No need for new laws the police just need to enforce the existing ones which seem more than adequate.

Current laws are sufficient and just require enforcement

There is no need to be walking around with explosives in your pocket.

It allows the police to enforce the legislation

It will allow police to react where they fireworks are being used dangerously.

For safety reasons

The police can already have this power under existing laws. Putting it here like this is just for effect.

Again, fireworks in the wrong hands could be deadly

Too much power in an already corrupt system.

Julie Doorne "There is no need to be walking around with explosives in your pocket." Modern fireworks simply do not fit in pockets. 'Nuisance' fireworks such as bangers and air bombs (which did fit in pockets) have long since been banned. You people will never be happy until you suck all the fun and enjoyment out of life for everyone else.

Danger of death or injury is only a small part of the problem with fireworks, flares etc. Main issue for many is noise, which happens many nights (or daylight hours) and totally unpredictable. Uk didn’t have a ‘tradition” of setting off huge noisy disruptive fireworks 52 wks a year. Used to be a tradition of public/small private displays on 5 Nov. Then 1 Jan was added. Then other cultures added their dates. Too much noise now, can’t predict when sleep + animals, babies etc will be disturbed.

No point having legislation if it's not enforceable

Not a fan of stop and search as it can be bias against certain groups, but if there is genuine cause to suspect a person has dangerous items and have potential for malignant intent then yes.

Current laws are fine, the police just need to enforce them better.

This is the key the police already have great power. They just need to enforce it and not stop law abiding people (the majority) enjoying and buying fireworks.

"If a police constable had reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence, the constable may", so what is the offence, possession of fireworks? Is the plan to have police at the border with England randomly stopping cars! Seriously!

there are so many people who think it is a laugh to throw fireworks at people/animals so if they suspect someone is carrying these with that intent then it is a good idea.

If they have reasonable grounds for suspecting this, they should be able to stop and search. I have nothing against organised displays, just random numpties not caring for how others feel.

The are an explosive device whice is reported how many times being used aa a weopon and so should be treated as one! Totally agree.

In the last year it appears that industrial strength fireworks are in the hands of the public. The more power to stop these being circulated would be welcome

It seems to give police powers to stop and search almost everyone.

Stop and search is always a controversial power. I am not sure it is relevant to fireworks.

Anonymous User "In the last year it appears that industrial strength fireworks are in the hands of the public. The more power to stop these being circulated would be welcome" I have no idea what an 'industrial strength' firework is. The law on what may be sold has not changed for many years so you must be witnessing illegal fireworks. A ban or restriction will only see this situation get far worse.

Yes. Fireworks are weapons just like knives, guns, baseball bats etc. if fireworks were restricted to organised events (ideally on very restricted number of days a year) there’d be no reason for people to have them unless for illegal use. Too many get set off in the street, either to make noise, or aim at other people, but realistically, by time police arrive, every one has run off.

"If a police constable had reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence, the constable may" Isn't that already how it works regardless of fireworks being involved? Seems like a very wide open clause that won't affect fireworks use at all.

What a waste of resources. You'll miss some. Hassle some based on race or who 'fits' the profile. Fireworks are used by anyone and nearly everyone. Again, not really sensible or a good use of police time.

jul "They should be illegal as far too dangerous" For every one NHS admission from firework injuries there are 60 from dog attacks. Should dogs be made illegal using your argument?

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