WALTHAMSTOW: 'Illegal' firework displays slammed

5:27pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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A ROW over fireworks being let off at Walthamstow Assembly Hall has prompted the council to take tougher action against those who break hall hire contracts.

Nearby resident Keith Foster complained to the local authority because he was disturbed by a blast of fireworks let off on Tuesday, August 12.

He claimed there have been numerous instances where fireworks have been let off by people who had hired the venue, but was unable to provide specific dates.

In an email to council leader Clyde Loakes, Mr Foster said: “For the second time in two weeks I have had to take unexpected care of my domestic pets due to the unforewarned explosions which have scared them to bits.

“This is nothing short of completely intolerable and must be stamped out forthwith.”

Mr Foster, of Farnan Avenue, Walthamstow – just round the corner from the town hall in Forest Road – took covert pictures of the fireworks and of a warning on a container not being heeded.

In response, Cllr Loakes said the council’s property services team had withheld a refund for the group which booked the hall that evening because it broke the authority’s hall hire conditions.

He added that the council was considering involving the police to see if future renegade firework users could be prosecuted.

“Unfortunately, due to the nature of these facilities and these events, it is particularly difficult to prevent these occurences but I would like to reassure you that we do have penalty measures in place for this type of incident and will continue to enforce these measures with appropriate vigour,” he said.

Cllr Geraldine Reardon, arts, leisure and culture cabinet member, added: “The use of fireworks in the halls and adjacent to them is strictly prohibited without our prior written approval.

“We believe on this occasion, the fireworks were set off from the public highway, rather than adjacent to the Assembly Hall.

“We will be discussing the matter with our local police officer to ascertain what the legal position is and what action the police could take in the future.

“However, as the council has received three complaints in the last three months, this demonstrates the vast majority of people are adhering to the terms and conditions of hire.”