THE Scottish Government won’t rule out a ban on shops selling fireworks ahead of Guy Fawkes night, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

A spokesman for Holyrood insisted the Firework Review Group is keeping all options on the table as the city gears up for its first bonfire night without organised events – including the popular Glasgow Green spectacular.

Recommendations are expected to be made to ministers at the end of the month.

It comes after a warning from local councillors that Glasgow could descend into chaos if the government does not step in to deter anti-social behaviour.

Drumchapel’s Councillor Paul Carey said his ward suffers from violence and disorder every November 5 due to thoughtless yobs.

Glasgow Times:

However, without the area’s beloved Winterfest extravaganza and piles of waste readily available in back courts due to the temporary halt on the bulk uplift service, he fears this could be the worst year yet prompting his call for the sale of devices to be scrapped.

He said: “In recent years we have seen a rise in anti-social behaviour with regards to fireworks and now rogue bonfires are a big threat this year too, given the fact that bulk waste has built up - not just in my ward, but all over the city.

“This, along with illegal dumping of bulk waste, makes it a perfect recipe for unlawful bonfires to spring up all over the city.

“It is important that, as a matter of urgency, Glasgow City Council start to uplift bulk waste that is already gathering in people’s back courts and also illegal bulk that has been dumped before it is used for bonfires.”

He added: “It is also equally ­important that the government brings forward any plans that they have to deal with anti-social behaviour in order to avoid what’s happened in the past with emergency services being attacked.

“In some cases, they had been ambushed with these dangerous fireworks – some of the fireworks are the size of a small rocket.

“We cannot allow these events to continue.

“Are we going to wait until there a tragedy before something is done?”

The stark warning comes just two years after Pollokshields suffered a night of terror on Bonfire Night as a gang of thugs fired rockets at police.

Locals – including a toddler – were injured, property was damaged and people were left terrified by the incident.

The area has long been a hotspot for firework misuse with locals saying the issue has already started up in the area – a month before ­November 5.

Danny Phillips. of Pollokshields Community Council, said: “We cannot have a repeat of the ­firework chaos, communities like Pollokshields have suffered year after year.

“We are already noticing that firework misuse is starting in Pollokshields – no doubt we have weeks of this in the run up to bonfire night.

“Rockets were fired down our street last night. The Scottish Government promised legislation and action this year to protect communities like ours. And communities like Pollokshields expect them to stick to their promises.”

Both Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have urged the public to adhere to coronavirus restrictions, which currently prohibit more than six adults from two separate households, while planning any bonfire night events.

Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell said: “Typically, bonfire night is extremely busy for police and other emergency services and while public bonfire displays may be cancelled, planning is under way for an appropriate policing response on the night.

“The safety of the public is our priority and we have been engaging with young people extensively to highlight the risks associated with reckless behaviour involving fireworks.

“The vast majority of people

are complying with the legal ­restrictions on outdoor gatherings with other households

to prevent coronavirus from ­spreading.”

He added: “The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal ­responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives.”

Meanwhile, Alasdair Perry, the head of prevention and protection at the SFRS, said: “We continue to remind those considering hosting an informal private firework event to consider the impact of fireworks on others including the broader community, pet owners and emergency service workers.

“There is no doubt that fireworks present a genuine risk to spectators, particularly children, and that’s why it is vital that anyone planning to host a private event familiarises themselves with our Fireworks Code before purchasing fireworks.

“In addition to the risk presented to the public, the impact on emergency services is traditionally significant.

“Last year we received nearly 900 calls from the public and attended more than 350 bonfires.

“While we will always respond where required, people across Scotland can help us by being mindful of the dangers presented by fireworks and to ensure they are aware of all key safety advice before hosting an informal event.”

He added: “Additionally, we would like to urge everyone to store or dispose of rubbish and waste responsibly to reduce the chances of deliberate fire-setting.”

Glasgow City Council said, while Covid-19 has “unfortunately delayed” plans to resume the bulk uplift service, it hopes to offer the service again as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Waste centres are open seven days a week and many housing associations are offering an uplift service for those concerned.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Firework Review Group, chaired by Alasdair Hay CBE QFSM, is considering the options for tightening fireworks legislation and is expected to make recommendations to Ministers by the end of this month.”