Vince Cable

With the predictable build-up of firework noise over the next week, Vincent Cable MP has warned that there are now strong legal sanctions to prevent abuse of fireworks and residents who see such abuse should have no hesitation in asking the Council's Trading Standards Officers, the Police or - if animals are involved - the RSPCA to intervene. He was actively involved in helping bring the 2003 Act to the statute book and says that there are several clear offences:

• Under 18s letting off fireworks in a public place or buying fireworks

• Fireworks discharged between 11pm to 7am except on Bonfire Night, Diwali Night and New Year's Eve (there is no exception for the days before and after)

• Throwing fireworks in a public place

• Causing suffering to animals

• Exceeding maximise noise limit of 120dB

"Every year my office gets a flood of calls and letters particularly from pet owners and parents of young children. Often residents are not aware of the legal protections. If they see clear evidence that the law is being broken they shouldn't hesitate to invoke it.

"Where the problem becomes very tiresome locally for people in Whitton and Twickenham is the long period before and after Diwali when there are constant explosions in nearby Hounslow, quite often illegal, which the police there seem reluctant to act upon."