Fireworks & control zones
Fireworks & The Law
It is illegal and an offence for the general pubilc to throw or cast or fire any firework in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public space (this includes to throw or fire from a private place into a public place, street, highway etc.).
It is illegal for the general public to use fireworks before 6pm or after 11pm (this extends to midnight on 5 November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali).
It is illegal for adults to buy or supply fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 - with the exception of F1 fireworks.
Examples of F1 fireworks include party poppers, novelty crackers and certain sparklers. The category of firework is legally required to be displayed on product packaging.
Further information available at
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service: Fireworks and Bonfire Safety (firescotland.gov.uk) (External Link).
And at FAQ · Ask the Scottish Police (External Link).
What are Firework Control Zones?
A firework control zone is an area within a local authority's boundaries in which it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to ignite a firework, including on private property such as a garden. It is also an offence to fire a firework into the boundaries of a zone; or to knowingly or recklessly throw or cast a lit firework into a zone. This does not apply to category F1 fireworks, which will still be permitted within firework control zones subject to any other legal controls on their use. Category F1 fireworks are indoor or close proximity fireworks with minimal safety distances. These can include sparklers, novelty items, indoor fireworks, and party poppers.
Why do they exist?
This is an option that can be used as one part of a specific targeted response to issues associated with firework use.
The power for local authorities to designate a place or places as firework control zones within their boundaries came into force on 22 June 2023. This is a key measure within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, which aims to support a cultural shift in the relationship that Scotland has with fireworks.
If I have a concern about Fireworks what can I do?
Report fireworks misuse or deliberate fire raising to Police Scotland by calling 101. In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999.
For concerns over sale of fireworks see Trading Standards information (Trading Standards business advice – Shetland Islands Council).
For noise complaints around fireworks see Enviornmental Health noise pages (Noise – Shetland Islands Council).
Anonymous reporting can also be done through Crimestoppers (Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)) (External Link).
Community Request for a Fireworks Control Zone in Shetland only
Should you feel there is an ongoing problem around fireworks in your area and above services have been unable to resolve it then a community request can be made by any community of interest for a Firework Control Zone.
Please email ehadmin@shetland.gov.uk for more details.