Tuesday October 21st 2025
Photo by Jingda Chen
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
There will be no firework control zones implemented in West Lothian ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night.
After talks with the police and fire service West Lothian Council concluded there was “no evidence” to support their introduction.
The decision comes following a crackdown on illegal fireworks after £100,000 worth were seized in a police raid in West Lothian.
Councillor Craig Meek, chair of the Public and Community safety PDSP said: “The position will continue to be monitored.”
Ahead of the first week of November, the busiest week of the year for fire services across the country, local police and fire commanders issued their pleas to the public to stay safe.
Firework safety planning is carried out by The West Lothian Community Safety Partnership which is made up of public organisations such as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland and West Lothian Council.
Together, with the support and assistance from voluntary organisations and members of the public, they are promoting safety and responsibility this bonfire period, and reminding West Lothian communities what they should do should they encounter any suspicious activity.
For the SFRS, Station Commander Paul Harvey works across prevention and youth engagement within West Lothian.
He said: “Bonfire Night is the busiest night of the year for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with over 1000 calls received on November 5th in 2024.
“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an organised fireworks event which is carefully planned and risk assessed.
“If you are using fireworks at home, always follow the Fireworks Code and follow the safety guidance available on our website. Details of organised displays are also available via our website.
“Please consider others and remember fireworks and bonfires can be overwhelming for people with sensory impairment and animals can find fireworks particularly distressing.”
Police acting with the council’s Trading Standards officers last week seized illegal fireworks worth between £70,000 and £100,000 have been seized by police.
The haul was discovered during a raid on an industrial unit on the Schoolhouse Industrial Estate in Addiewell.
Inspector John Fleming, Deputy Local Area Commander, Police Scotland, West Lothian said: “Local officers will once again be supported by colleagues from national and specialist departments, and we are grateful for this additional resource to call upon.
“It is a criminal offence to buy fireworks for anyone under the age of 18 and if you do so, you could face a fine, six months imprisonment, or both, so please don’t risk it. A new aggravator will also be added to charges brought against those who attack emergency service workers.
“We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and while we are working alongside partners to do all we can to mitigate against fireworks-related disorder, we would also ask for parents and guardians to have frank conversations with young people in their care about the risks and consequences of getting involved in criminality involving fireworks.”
Firework control zones were introduced in Edinburgh last year and will be again this year. They did nothing, however, to stop violence erupting in Niddrie last year when police and fire crews were attacked and property damaged.
Councillor Meek said: “Discussions with West Lothian Community Safety Partners concluded that there remains no evidence to support a council promoted control zone at this time.
“A Firework Control Zone is just one tool within a range of multi-agency enforcement and preventative measures available and is not designed to be the first or only step a local authority can take to tackle issues associated with fireworks.
“For many years, organisations within the West Lothian Community Safety Partnership have successfully used local knowledge and intelligence to help provide the resources needed for firework and bonfire safety.
“The partnership will continue to use all current preventative approaches in an educative and informative way by sharing collective safety messages and promote licensed events to all residents and businesses to help keep communities safe and provide necessary interventions when required. The position will continue to be monitored.”
Livingston South councillor for the SNP Maria MacAulay told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
“It’s disappointing that West Lothian Council hasn’t taken steps to introduce Firework Control Zones, particularly when the Scottish Government has already provided councils with the power to do so through the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.
“These zones are designed to protect people, pets, and communities from the distress fireworks can cause. Other local authorities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Falkirk, have already explored or implemented such measures.”
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