"It's every night!": Fury over 'constant' fireworks in Oldham as police issue appeal

Residents claim the 15-minute long displays are often over by the time they eventually get through to 101

Residents have slammed 'constant' fireworks blighting areas across Oldham as police issue an appeal. Fireworks being let off after midnight and into the early hours of the morning is something those living locally claim has 'gone on for years'.

Greater Manchester Police issued a new appeal on Tuesday (April 22), outlining a number of recent reports from the Chadderton area of the pyrotechnics sent blasting into the sky late at night.

But residents across the borough claim the 15-minute long displays are often over by the time they get through to 101 and that the chaos has been 'going on for years'.

Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE

Last year, the M.E.N reported how furious residents were 'sick to death' of the nuisance fireworks being repeatedly let off in the early hours of the morning. Posts in local social media groups slammed those letting off the fireworks which were booming over houses after the legal time of 11pm.

Following the latest police appeal, one resident commented: "It’s not just Chadderton though is it… it’s all over north Manchester, day and night."

"Most nights in the early hours of the morning for a long time in south Chadderton. 101 takes too long then they have stopped plus full displays for 15 minutes," another commented.

A third said: "Constantly going off throughout Oldham" as a fourth added: "This has been going on for years it’s very annoying in the early hours."

"Been happening since I lived there a decade ago... Almost every single night..." said another.

Last June, Oldham Council announced they were working with Greater Manchester Police to tackle the influx in complaints about the issue, including carrying out licensing checks at shops, mapping out hotspots to be monitored by officers and establishing a point of contact for fireworks complaints.

In recent weeks, a number of posts have also been shared to X about the issue in Oldham, as one person penned: "00:45 is an interesting time to have a 20 minute long fireworks display but this is Oldham after all."

As another commented: "Idiots blasting fireworks before midnight."

Residents can currently complain to Greater Manchester Police about the issue, with guidance available on the Oldham Council website.

A statement shared by GMP Oldham read: "The police have received a number of reports in the Chadderton area recently of fireworks being set-off late at night.

"In most cases, it is illegal to do this between the hours of 11pm and 7am and anyone found doing so may be liable to prosecution and/or a fine. Please report any issues with firework nuisance by calling 101 at the time it is ongoing."

---

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here.

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.

If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.

And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.