This is Leicestershire 31 August 2002, PLEA TO BAN BANGERS AS COMPLAINTS ROCKET
Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night celebrations in Leicester may not go with a bang for much longer, if the city council gets its way.
Councillors are urging city MPs to lobby the Government for a change in the law to ban noisy fireworks. The authority received 56 complaints between September and November.
A report before Monday's meeting of the city's ruling cabinet says the problem is made worse because Leicester is a multi-cultural city in which bonfire night and Diwali celebrations overlap.
It is unlikely any law change would be introduced in time for this year's celebrations.
A spokesperson for the city council said: "At the moment, there's very little the council can do, especially with noisy fireworks at private parties. Unless someone's offending regularly, we can't do anything."
Dennis Duggan, of Oakland Avenue, off Melton Road, said he would support a ban on loud fireworks.
He said: "When one goes off close by, you can feel the house shake. Last year, they started on October 12 and carried on well into November.
"I don't object to fireworks on their own, it's the noisy bangers that go off up to 18 hours a day."
One resident of Macdonald Road, Belgrave, who did not wish to be named, said: "I live opposite a car park and people have set them off there at 3am.
"I have a little West Highland terrier, which gets very scared. I would definitely support a restriction."
Leicester City Council's fireworks display in Abbey Park is the largest in the city. Festivals and events officer Simon Brown said: "From the noise point of view, we work to Health and Safety Executive guidelines.
"The city council urges people to come to these public displays rather than have their own."
Maganbhai Patel, president of Leicester Hindu Festival Council, said: "We do take care because Diwali is such a big event and we want it to be peaceful.
"There are 40,000 or 50,000 people here every year and we never have any problems."
Leicester City Council will launch a publicity campaign in the autumn asking people to think about the effect of their celebrations.
It will urge people to attend organised events and warn shopkeepers that it is illegal to sell fireworks to children under 18. Keith Vaz, Leicester East MP, said: "I will support a proper balance between the rights of residents and those who want to enjoy themselves. I will look very closely at what the city council has to say."

This is Leicestershire  31 August 2002, CRACKING PLAN TO CUT NOISE
Fireworks used to be the preserve of Bonfire Night and we all knew what to expect - some loved the night, others hated it. Pets were kept indoors and those who didn't like the loud bangs were happy to live and let live during the few nights of celebrations.  The chaos in our schools as school staff await vetting from the Government looks set to rumble on well into next week.  But as our city has become more multi-cultural so has the number of faiths who mark special events with a firework display.  Added to this has been the increasing tendency for firework celebrations to mark New Year's Eve, students' graduation, Christmas and even birthday parties. This leaves those who hate fireworks with an increasing number of nights to tolerate.
Leicester City Council had 56 complaints about noisy fireworks between September and November last year, but many others would just have suffered in silence.  But the City Council has now come up with a simple, but effective plan which ends the misery for those who are frightened by the loud crack of the firework. It is also a plan that doesn't diminish the enjoyment of those letting off the fireworks.  The local authority wants to limit the noise of the firework to effectively cut out the nuisance.  It turns out though that the council does not have the power to make the order cutting noise, it needs a change of law by Government.
Let's hope the powers that be in Whitehall can find the time to give us all a peaceful autumn.  We want answers on this crisis  Everyone appreciates that these checks need carrying out to make sure our children are safe, but why has everything taken so long? These appointments were made months ago and the start date of the new school year comes as no surprise.
This desperate mess is solely down to the Government's mis-handling. When all the staff are at work and children back at their desk, everyone will be looking for answers to make sure this doesn't happen again, and those responsible punished.

This is Leeds  27 August 2002, We were put under siege
SHOCKED residents living alongside the festival today told how they felt "under siege" by the three-day event.
It was billed as the 'highlight' of the Northern music calendar but for homeowners at Temple Newsam it was a weekend from hell.
They complained of fireworks, klaxons and chants which continued until 4am every day.
The music - which was so loud it could be heard through double glazing - began in earnest daily in the late afternoon and the revelry did not stop until the small hours.
The 12-ft high steel fence at the site quickly became a toilet.
Gerald Elliff, who has lived in Temple Newsam for 17 years, said he had seen revellers scaling the 'ring of steel' only to dismantle a wooden fence for use as firewood.
He said: "From my house I could see the fires and the police helicopter overhead and the whole thing will have cost thousands of pounds. They were chanting and shouting and I think they were trying to pull the fence down at one stage. We should be told who will pay for it all.
"We have this every year and we need to know who is going to foot the bill. We warned them before hand but it still went ahead and now I suppose we are expected to pick up the pieces.
"It's at night when it's worst. There's been fireworks going off every night. On Thursday it started at 11pm and went on until 4am.
"It's far too near to housing, just 180 yards away. I don't think anyone should have to put up with that."

August 27 2002, Salford Advertiser, Firework night is here again
IT'S 10.15pm and I'm sitting with the TV on as loud as I can stand it. My two dogs are shaking and running around like lunatics, looking for somewhere to hide. My cat is cowering in the kitchen.
Why? For the third night running, we have been treated to the loud explosions of fireworks, let off by scum, most of them with anti-social behaviour orders out on them.
For most part of the year, the explosions and fumes come from the stolen torched cars. Calls to the police about the fireworks are met with disinterest. A low priority.
It should be compulsory for housing officers and police to live in the area in which they work so that they can experience first-hand the problems people face. As it stands, we are treated
as whingers just making it up. They want months of log sheets as proof before they will even attempt to do something.
Log sheets don't make the problem go away You still have to live through it. Writing it all down doesn't make the noise any more bearable. Is it just me, or are any other readers suffering in this way?
C. W. Salford

ITN 23 August NETHERLANDS SCUFFLES FOLLOW SENTENCING OF MAN CONVICTED OF ARSON
Scuffles broke out in a Dutch court after it sentenced a man to 15 years in jail for causing a blast at a fireworks warehouse in the eastern town of Enschede two years ago, which killed at least 20 people and destroyed and entire residential district.
Andre de Vries was found guilty of arson by the Almelo court on Thursday (August 22) and immediately objected to the sentence.   The judge said the court found him guilty of arson at the S.E. Fireworks in Enschede which led to an explosion in May 2000, killing at least 20 people, injuring close to 1,000 and levelling more than 400 homes, Almelo district court said.
Earlier this year, two owners of the warehouse were sentenced to six months in jail for breaking safety rules, including failing to install fire-resistant doors and working sprinklers. But they were found not guilty of culpable homicide.

This is Bristol 23 August 2002, FREQUENT FIREWORKS
I wholeheartedly agree with your objection to the annoyingly frequent late-night fireworks we hear round Bristol (Evening Post , August 14), but fail to see how "class" can be dragged into it!
Surely it is as disruptive whichever "class" is setting them off ?
SJC, By e-mail.

Express and Star 22 August 2002, Pet owners back firework ban call
Customers of a Black Country vets practice are supporting a bid by a local MP to cut the size of fireworks sold from shops.
Dudley North MP Ross Cranston said hundreds of signatures to a petition calling for restrictions on fireworks sales had been obtained from customers of Black and Partners in Sedgley and Dudley who are concerned about the affect on pets of loud bangs during the weeks around Bonfire Night.
Mr Cranston will join other MPs for the All Party Fireworks Group to present the petition to the Prime Minister next month.
A few months ago, Mr Cranston asked the people of Dudley to write in if they supported the campaign and many people have written letters or have signed petitions calling for new laws to limit the period when fireworks can be sold and the size of the fireworks available.
"I have been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling on this issue and the support I have received from people right across the Black Country who want to see better fireworks controls.
"Local people are fed up with the anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance, damage to property and distress to animals caused by what has become a year round pest.
"I am greatly encouraged that some sort of change is on the way as there are now many more MPs who support this issue than there were six months ago.
"Further, when the all party group recently met with fireworks' minister, Melanie Johnson MP, she told us that the Government was willing in principle to lend its support to a private members bill to make change possible.
"The presentation of the petition is the next stage in the campaign and I would ask anyone else who wants to pledge their support to write to me at the House of Commons or e-mail me at cranstonr@parliament.uk by the middle of September so I can include their name," said Mr Cranston.

This is Brighton and Hove, 22 August 2002,  Boring bangs
I wholeheartedly agree with Lucy Ambrose (Letters, August 24), who wrote of the suffering caused to herself and her dog by the casual use of fireworks in our fair city.
Even on special occasions, I must admit to not really enjoying modern-day fireworks. The great explosive reverberations frankly frighten me.
We do not all see the sparks in the sky and realise there is some celebration. At such times, I shiver at night, waking to what sounds like wartime Brighton and Hove.
I fully support Ivor Caplin's campaign to have firework use regulated. I have run out of oohs and aahs at any firework display and I strongly object to my beauty sleep being ruined by some hooligan spending thousands of pounds on a thoroughly predictable display of misspent wealth.
Give me beacons and merriment around a bonfire any day.
M. P. Brighton and Hove,

This is Brighton and Hove, 20 August 2002, Mayor calls for late-night fireworks ban
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove has called for a ban on late-night fireworks in historic squares.
Residents called mayor David Watkins and the police to a display in Adelaide Crescent, Hove.
They complained they were being disturbed by explosions from an impromptu display in public gardens in adjoining Palmeira Square.
Mr Watkins, a Brunswick and Adelaide ward councillor, is now backing calls for new bylaws to prevent firework parties in public squares.
He and other Liberal Democrat councillors are demanding the changes are included in a review of bylaws being planned by Brighton and Hove City Council.
They say the action is necessary because of the increasing number of late-night displays in the area.
The councillors say the explosions echo around Adelaide Crescent, Palmeira Square and Brunswick Square and cause disturbance to residents.
The latest incident happened on Friday.
Coun Watkins said: "Residents were rightly concerned the explosions were too loud.
"There was no warning from the organisers to residents, many of whom were already in bed."
Councillor Paul Elgood, leader of the council's Lib Dems, said: "Such late-night displays are becoming more frequent.
"Fireworks should be enjoyed in less confined areas, not in these historic squares. They are not the right place for fireworks."

This is Brighton and Hove, 20 August 2002, Selfishness of firework parties
For two nights running, my poor dog was unnerved by selfish people who cannot celebrate some minor event in their lives without letting the whole city know.
I refer to the fireworks which seem to be set off at the least provocation.
The only way many dogs and owners cope with Bonfire Night and New Year is by using sedatives but I am not prepared to sedate my dog every weekend.
I urge all revellers to consider if a few minutes of light show and diversion for them is worth an hour of panicked dog.  L. A. Hove

This is Devon, 20 August 2002,  Garden centre firework fear
A tonne of fireworks is due to be stored at a garden centre close to homes and nearby residents are frightened of an explosion.
They are angry because Jack's Patch at Bishopsteignton has been given planning consent to keep the fireworks in a steel shipping container.
Many villagers living along the main Newton Road have signed a petition protesting at the decision and are also calling in the Ombudsman.
But the owner of the popular garden centre declared: "They have nothing to fear and are welcome to come and talk to me."
One of the protest leaders Nigel Le Gresley, claimed that storing such a large amount of fireworks in a residential area was a serious hazard to the local community.
"Local residents are questioning the logic of Teignbridge Council in granting this permission with all its inherent dangers of mishandling, vandalism or just plain accidental detonation." Mr Le Gresley added that they felt so strongly about the way the matter had been handled by Teignbridge, they were asking the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate.
Jeremy Hepworth, co-owner of Jack's Patch, said the application had been made in full consultation with the planners and environmental health department, and there was no danger to his neighbours.
"The container will not arrive until September and it will be placed well away from the shop and the houses. We are very safety conscious and will be taking all the precautions. These are up-market fireworks for special events, and will only be sold in sealed packages, not individually to youngsters.
"I think it is sad that nobody who is objecting has approached me. They are welcome to come over and I will be able to address their concerns and show them exactly where the container is going."
A spokesman for Teignbridge planning department, said there was no valid reason to refuse the application which had been made by an officer under delegated powers.
"We consulted with all the relevant authorities before issuing consent, and a notice advertising the application was posted at the site."

August 16 2002, Manchester Evening News, Write in
RE the Postbag letters about fireworks, I would suggest that people who are having problems
with the nuisance of fireworks write to:
Ms Melanie Johnson,
Minister for Consumer Affairs,
Department of Trade and Industry V432,
1 Victoria Street,
London
SWIH OET.

I especially think it is wise to mention the upset they cause to animals and old people.
If enough people write, then perhaps there may eventually come a time when fireworks are only sold the day
before and not the beginning of September.
Please write -
J L, Moston

This is Gloucestershire, 16 August 2002, £5,000 FIREWORK FACTORY RAID
Thieves broke into a fireworks factory and stole £5,000 worth of stock while the owners were away.
Graham and Christine Lundegaard, of Sandling Fireworks, Staverton, returned from the National Fireworks Championships in Plymouth, watching their products get put to the test, to find the fireworks missing.
The theft is believed to have happened late Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to the Lundegaards, the fireworks should be easy to track down.
They are exclusive to the company and are not available from shops in Gloucestershire.
The fireworks all bear the words, "Sandling Fireworks Gloucester," on the labels.
Last year, thieves tried to break into the Sandling factory using a welding torch, and, according to the Lundegaard's, came "within a whisker" of blowing themselves up.
If you have any information about the stolen fireworks, please contact Sandling Fireworks on 01452 855 915.

The Black Country, 15 August 2002, MP's call for `explosives' control
Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP Sylvia Heal has called for tighter controls on firework sales.
The MP, who was shown a range of fireworks by Dudley Trading Standard's Department staff, said: "Frankly, these could be more accurately described as minor explosives. I was astonished to find them classified as being safe for members of the public to buy and let off in a large open space. It is perfectly possible for these to be let off in a garden.
"I have asked Melanie Johnson MP, the minister responsible for firework regulation for this type of firework to be removed from general sale and made available only to people organising large public displays.

This is Bristol 14 August 2002, PLEASE, STOP THE FIREWORK DISPLAYS
How much longer must we have to endure the unnecessary, apparent middle-class trend of setting off fireworks on every conceivable occasion over residential areas?
It seems that barely a weekend goes by without detonations being made (usually at or near midnight) in celebration of every insignificant event!
This ranges from balloon festivals to celebrate the aimless burning of valuable natural resources on the ground, to outdoor pop festivals, wine festivals, and seemingly every other birthday party or late-night occasion in the district.
This din of fireworks destroys our sleep pattern and scares our pets half to death as they endeavour to cower indoors behind furniture, every weekend.
It was once considered to be a serious offence to detonate any explosive device, except on November 5, without a licence and the police at the time would actively follow up (the children) who flouted the law.
Is the time not ripe, to bring these so-called adults (including those on our council) to book for this deliberate flouting of reasonable noise abatement regulations?
DCM, Via e-mail

This is Devon, 14 August 2002,  Firework Assaults Denied
A holidaymaker has claimed he was threatened by a camper who let off a firework late at night on a crowded Torbay campsite frightening children.
Exeter Crown Court has heard that David Farnworth lit the giant banger after a barbecue in a belated celebration of his wife's birthday.
But the "big bang" allegedly turned ugly and the ensuing violence left Mr Farnworth with a broken nose and a friend of his with cuts to his face after a headbutt. The prosecution has alleged that Lee Jemmeson took exception to the impromptu firework display and punched Mr Farnworth to the ground breaking his nose.
He then allegedly headbutted James Dewerdon when he tried to calm things down.
However, Jemmeson who was also on holiday at the Widdicombe Farm campsite at Marldon, said he was threatened by Mr Farnworth who, when he approached him, said he would let off a second firework.
Jemmeson said he had tried to pour water over the firework and had picked up a bucket to do that. He said there was then a tussle and his head came into contact with Mr Farnworth's head.
The defendant said he was then grabbed from behind and there was another accidental clash of heads.
He said all the injuries caused were accidental but arose out of the aggression shown by Mr Farnworth and Mr Dewerdon. Prosecutor Michael Brabin said the Crown did not accept that was right. "We do not say that the letting off of the firework was sensible and it may have been a cause of friction. But we cannot have people taking the law into their own hands by headbutting people and injuring them. That would lead to anarchy," said Mr Brabin.
Jemmeson, 32, from Garford, Leeds has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Farnworth causing him actual bodily harm and not guilty to common assault by beating Mr Dewerdon.
The trial continues.

This is Gloucestershire, 14 August 2002, WARNING AFTER FIREWORKS FINE
All Homebase DIY stores in the UK are to be reminded about the safe storage of fireworks after a Gloucestershire branch was fined £4,000 for breaching health and safety regulations.
The Cheltenham branch of Homebase pleaded guilty this week to illegally storing fireworks after an investigation by county trading standards officers.
Fireworks were scattered around an office at the Homebase store at the Gallagher Retail Park, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham.
Some of the fireworks, which included rockets and Roman Candles, were piled up between an employee at her desk and the only exit route.
A Homebase spokesman said: "We have strict guidelines in place for the storage of fireworks in our stores, and store managers and teams are sent regular reminders.
"Our Cheltenham branch was in breach of these guidelines and we have spoken to the manager to ensure that the correct procedures are followed in the future.
"As a result of this incident, we are again contacting all of our stores to remind them of the firework storage policy.
Homebase Ltd pleaded guilty before Cheltenham magistrates on Monday to charges of storing fireworks illegally in an office in which people were working.
The case was brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by Gloucestershire Trading Standards.
Magistrates imposed a fine of £4,000 and ordered the company to pay £533 prosecution costs.
Lester Madrell, prosecuting, told the court how Homebase kept around 90 kg of fireworks in an office at their retail store at Gallagher Retail Park, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham.
The company are registered to store fireworks at the Cheltenham outlet, but this is on the strict understanding that all explosives are kept in a metal container at the rear of the store.
Mr Madrell added that there was a serious risk posed by this quantity of fireworks being stored in this uncontrolled way.
Employees at the store as well as the general public were put at risk, he said.

This is Gloucestershire, 13 August 2002,  STORE FINED FOR FIREWORK BREACH
A major county DIY store has been fined £4,000 for "risking the safety" of staff and customers through the illegal storing of fireworks.
The Homebase store in Cheltenham had fireworks scattered around an office - in breach of strict safety legislation.
Some of the fireworks, which included rockets and Roman candles, were piled up between an employee at her desk and the only exit route.
Homebase Ltd pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court yesterday to charges of storing fireworks illegally in an office in which people were working.
The case was brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by Gloucestershire trading standards.
Magistrates imposed a fine of £4,000 and ordered the company to pay £533 prosecution costs.
Lester Madrell, prosecuting, told the court how Homebase kept about 90kg of fireworks in an office at its retail store at Gallagher Retail Park, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham.
The company is registered to store fireworks at the Cheltenham outlet, but this is on the strict understanding that all explosives are kept in a metal container at the rear of the store.
Mr Madrell argued that the fireworks were therefore stored in breach of the safety legislation.
On January 3, following a complaint from the general public, trading standards officers visited the shop to find the fireworks scattered around the office. Many of the fireworks were piled up between an employee working at a desk and her only escape route from the office.
Mr Madrell added that there was a serious risk posed by this quantity of fireworks being stored in this uncontrolled way.
Roger Marles, trading standards manager, said: "We enforce the legislation that controls the storage of fireworks in around 160 shops around the county.
"Not complying with the rules about safe storage poses a serious risk."

This is Leicestershire 10 August 2002, FIRST FIREWORKS VICTIM OF 2002
Is May, a beautiful three-months old filly foal, the first victim of fireworks in 2002?
During the night of July 27, May, her mother and companion were frightened by fireworks, resulting in May, breaking two legs and having to be put to sleep, leaving her owners and everyone who got to know May in her short life heart broken and very angry.
For those of us who keep animals, fireworks have become a nightmare. It seems that no event these days is complete without a barrage of noise, the louder the better. Fireworks were meant for November 5, not 365 days of the year, anytime day or night. Until restrictions are put on the use of fireworks, more animals like May will die needlessly.  P. A. W. Ibstock.

This is Devon, 9 August 2002, Residents fear more nights of city firework
City residents whose nights have been wrecked by impromptu firework displays say they are preparing for another sleepless weekend.
The Echo reported this week how Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw is considering pressing ministers for a change in the law after thousands of people were kept awake by the noise on Sunday morning.
Both the police and Exeter City Council say there is no action they can take against those who launched the 20-minute firework display from Exwick's Farm Hill at 2am on Sunday morning.
Their actions kept thousands of people across Exwick and St David's awake for hours as they comforted startled children and pets.
At the time of the incident, police flew their helicopter over the area to investigate reported gunshots, but said the firework users were not breaking any law and passed the problem to the council. In turn, the council's environmental health team said it was unable to take action as its team members ended their shift at midnight.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has also become involved, saying he is investigating last weekend's incident and has written to the police and city council for a report.
Among the residents who fear the culprits are above the law and will launch another display this weekend is Brenda Raynor, 54, of Gloucester Road.
She claimed police had done nothing to prevent the firework displays - one of which caused her dog Bret to have a fit.
"The police and council have said they can't do anything," said Ms Raynor.
"So what if I blared my horn outside their police station all night, would they just ignore that?
"This is an open invitation to the culprits to do what they want. Everything is getting out of hand."
Exwick councillor Hazel Slack, of Winchester Avenue, is also concerned about potential problems over the weekend.
"I'm worried about the increase in fireworks being let off illegally between 10pm and 11pm for people's birthdays," she said.
"It used to be just bonfire night, but now it could perhaps be time for a change in the law. If the police can't do anything about it then There is no law in place putting restrictions on fireworks at late hours."
Responding to residents' criticisms, police said that if there were any further disturbances they would try to find a peaceful settlement.
Spokesman Alan Mobbs said: "People can ring us at the time and we will send an officer round to see if we can negotiate between the parties."

Leather Advertiser 8 August 2002 Move to stop youth club on estate
A Petition is being prepared against a Dorking youth club that some residents say is making their lives a misery. People living near the TNT Youth Club, which meets in the Harvest Church in Goodwyns, say it is a magnet for young troublemakers who get drunk and vandalise the area, throwing stones at buses and pulling up manhole covers. Police charged a 13-year-old Dorking boy with criminal damage after a large stone was thrown through a bus window on the Goodwyns estate. But youth club organisers have hit back, saying they provide a valuable service for young people, and claim complaints are made only by a small minority of residents. David Kilbride, of Harecroft, said: "The club runs on Friday evenings, but youngsters hang around afterwards, smoking and drinking and causing a lot of problems. "The people around here are sick to their back teeth about it. It's supposed to be a residential area but on Friday nights and weekends, people can't get to sleep." Mr Kilbride said he had seen youngsters damaging trees and pulling up manhole covers. "We're setting up a petition which will be sent to Mole Valley District Council. It's making people's lives a misery," he said. He was particularly angry about a party held two weeks ago to celebrate the first birthday of the club, which has more than 200 members. "There was loud music, someone riding a quad bike with children on the back and fireworks were landing in our gardens still smouldering." But Julie Cooper, who runs the club with her husband, Andrew, said: "I think it's just a few people exaggerating things. "We did a survey in Dorking and there was a 98 per cent response saying it's bad that nothing is happening for young people. "We've had nothing but praise for the club. Parents think it's great that something is being provided." Mrs Cooper said she had no knowledge of drinking on the site and added that the anniversary party had finished by 9.30pm. District councillor Mick Longhurst (Lib-Dem, Holmwoods) also defended the club, saying he had never received any complaints about it. "They do a good job there and they can't help it if youngsters turn up and hang around outside," he said. PC Pete Lees, the Dorking beat officer who covers the Goodwyns Estate, said that the youngsters who congregate outside the club can get out of hand, but stressed that he regularly monitors the area. "I have been speaking to the kids in the club and by creating a visible police presence, things have calmed down." Another problem affecting the area is recent cases of youths throwing stones at Arriva buses in the estate. Until recently, only tomatoes and soft fruits were thrown at the buses, but the problem has escalated, resulting in a teenager being arrested for throwing a hand-sized stone at a bus. Luckily, the stone missed both the passengers and driver and no one was hurt.

This is Devon, 7 August 2002,  MP adds weight to campaign for firework
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw is considering pressing for tougher police powers to arrest those who disturb residents with late-night firework displays.
Families in Exwick and miles around were kept awake for 20 minutes after 2am on Sunday as bangers, rockets and other fireworks were launched from wasteland near Farm Hill - the second time in a few weeks.
Police and Exeter City Council - which were both called several times by residents - say they were powerless to act.
Police say there is no law allowing them to arrest for firework noise and the council does not have staff on duty after midnight. Now Mr Bradshaw, deputy leader of the House of Commons, said he will ask for a change in the law if his investigations show it is necessary.
He said: "This kind of loutish behaviour is completely unacceptable. I have written to both the council and the police asking for a report on the incident and, if necessary, will raise the matter with ministers to ask if legislation needs to be reviewed."
An Exeter police spokesman said the party revellers were not breaking the law.
She said: "All it is is noise. For a breach of the peace we obviously have to believe one is occurring, or that we immediately believe that if we leave it will continue. We would not even entertain breach of the peace laws. We would not normally look at people for letting off fireworks.
"With incidents like this we would ask people to advise their neighbours beforehand or, if they are having a sustained period of fireworks, let the police know.
"On Sunday morning, people phoning in were advised to go to environmental health.
"If someone's having a party, how would it look if we went in making arrests from a public perception angle? We would look particularly harsh."
In November last year, Mr Bradshaw met former chief constable Sir John Evans after youths threw fireworks at cars close to Bonfire Night. Sir John pressed for police to be given wider powers to arrest and prosecute offenders. He agreed to discuss the issue with the Association of Chief Police Officers which advises ministers on suggested changes to the law.
The Public Order Act of 1986 controls the conduct of people in public places and is the closest law dealing with noise caused by a firework - although Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 makes it an offence to throw or let off fireworks in a street or public place. Many campaigners want fireworks to come within firearms laws, making it harder to buy fireworks without a licence. At present, shops are banned from selling fireworks to those under 18 and certain fireworks, such as mini rockets, bangers and aerial shells, to the general public. Offenders can be fined up to £5,000.
Brenda Raynor, 54, of Gloucester Road, Exwick found her 11-year-old dog Bret suffering a shock-induced fit during a previous firework display last month. This time she was forced to lock him in the house.
She said: "I called the police and they told me to phone the council. I phoned the council and the woman told me she could hear the noise but had no one to patrol. The police should be finding out where they are getting the fireworks from."
A city council spokeswoman said: "We do not having many such incidents after midnight, so paying people to be on standby would not be cost effective. We need witnesses so we can take action against people causing noise nuisances.
"If we did have an officer on standby, it is quite likely that by the time they got there the noise nuisance would be over. If someone is prepared to say who is responsible, we would go round to see them and if they were found to be responsible then they would be warned."

This is Devon, 6 August 2002, Residents have had enough of late-night noise
Exeter families fed-up with fireworks keeping them awake through the night want an end to the disruption.
Thousands of people were woken at about 2am on Sunday morning for around 20 minutes as bangers, rockets and fire crackers were set off by youngsters on wasteland at Farm Hill, Exwick.
The noise carried for miles scaring dogs, children and pensioners and prompting a flurry of calls to the police, who brought out the force helicopter.
But officers say they are powerless to act and Exeter City Council noise-control managers say they do not have staff available to investigate after midnight.
The problem is being heightened as unlicensed noisy fireworks parties become more common across the city throughout the year.
Now residents, who say they know who set off the fireworks, want the police and the council to punish those responsible. They fear future fireworks could set houses or woodland on fire and put lives at risk.
Carman Dee, 46, of Farm Hill, phoned police after finding her two-year-old Welsh collie dog Ogwyn shaken up by the loud bangs.
She said: "One of my dogs was absolutely terrified. There were lots of bangs and rocket sounds.
"This is a Neighbourhood Watch area and I would like the police to do something.
"Maybe they could give those who did it a bit of community service.
"It is dangerous, they could have set fire to someone's property.
"I would ask the police to please stop it happening again."
Exeter City Council noise control officers want residents to phone them with details of offenders so they can warn them and possibly prosecute them.
But the Echo spoke to several residents in the area where the fireworks were launched and found people too scared to be named. One mother near the site said: "They woke me up with such a start it made my heart jump.
"We heard a police helicopter above but the fireworks went off after that too.
"They were being fired off above the houses. We had problems getting the children off to sleep after that.
"There are lots of cats and dogs around here as well and they get scared."
A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said officers had reported the problem to environmental health officers at the city council.
She said: "We did receive a number of calls. There is no law saying we can do anything about it."

This is the North East 5 August 2002 Mum praised after firework attack
A FIRE chief has condemned vandals who threatened the lives of a family on Teesside.
Station Officer Steve Owens also commended the mother-of-two for keeping her cool and dialling 999 after yobs pushed a firework through the sleeping family's letterbox early yesterday.
The firework caused some damage to the ground floor hallway at the foot of stairs leading to the unnamed woman's second and third floor Victoria Road maisonette in Stockton. It filled the upstairs rooms, including the bedrooms, with smoke.
Mr Owens said: "Fortunately the hallway was empty because she was waiting for new carpets. If it had not been, it may well have set the flooring on fire and the consequences could have been much worse than they were. In the worse-case scenario there could have been a fire in the hallway - her only access and exit.
"Whether someone has done it as a prank, or out of maliciousness, I don't think they could have thought of the consequences of what could have happened,'' Mr Owens said.

Evening Times, 2 August 2002, Firework injuries increase
THE number of people injured by fireworks in Scotland is on the increase, according to new figures.
In a four-week period around Guy Fawkes night last year, 89 people were treated at hospitals - a 35% rise in accidents. In 2000, 66 people were hurt.
The number of children admitted to hospital for firework related injuries rose for the third year in a row with more than half of the total under 16.
Rockets and Roman Candles were cited as the main culprits.
Extensive advertising campaigns on how to handle fireworks safely were launched by the Scottish Executive and health agencies in the run up to bonfire night.
People were encouraged to attend organised displays for their own safety.
The majority of injuries were to the hand, and occurred in the street or at private bonfire parties.
The latest statistics refer to hospital treatment for injuries sustained between October 11 and November 8 last year.

ICScotland 2 August 2002 RIVAL BID FOR EURO 2008 HIT WITH NEW SHAME
Scotland's main rivals for Euro 2008 have suffered another major setback as violence flared at a football match in Switzerland. The latest incident to mar the Austria-Swiss bid broke out at the Allmend stadium in Lucerne on Wednesday night between home fans and hooligans from FC Zurich. Around 30 Zurich troublemakers aimed fireworks at police and FC Lucerne supporters outside the ground.

ICScotland 2 August 2002 Fireworks may be cause of building damage
A structural expert claims vibrations from fireworks celebrations are damaging Edinburgh's old buildings. Arnold Hendry believes the tonnes of explosives used to mark the Edinburgh Festival, Hogmanay and military Tattoo are dislodging pieces of masonry. Leisure chief, Councillor Steve Cardownie, is backing calls for an investigation into the impact of fireworks. Fireworks vibrations 'dislodging masonry on Edinburgh buildings'

ICScotland 2 August 2002 FIREWORKS WARNING AS ACCIDENTS SOAR
Fireworks injuries soared by 35 per cent in Scotland last year. The number of people admitted to hospital was 89 - up 23 on the previous year. More than half of those injured were aged under 16, according to Scottish Executive figures. A Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents spokesman said: "It shows people are either selling them irresponsibly or irresponsible adults are passing them on to children."

August 2 2002, This is Nottingham, STANDING UP TO THE TEENAGE TERRORS
Neighbours terrorised by a gang of teenagers finally said enough is enough....
They united to take on the gang, whose youngest member was 11, after suffering barrages of abuse and vandalism.
They called a public meeting, formed a residents' group - and then brought in police.
Officers arrested the youngsters who have now appeared in court and been convicted of harassment, burglary and public order offences.
Nottingham youth court heard the gang damaged property, threw fireworks, jumped on cars and committed burglary in the Basford street.
Some residents were too frightened to leave their homes, and three families moved. One neighbour said: "We've been prisoners in our own homes. It was hell."
The residents had been too scared to go to police before they banded together.
Five youngsters, aged from 11 to 18, were given sentences ranging from restraining orders to community punishment orders.
District judge Peter Nuttall told the 15-year-old ring-leader: "You were the cause of the conduct which resulted in a reign of terror."  The youngsters cannot be named for legal reasons.

This is the Black Country 1 August 2002: Fireworks review
Stourbridge MP Debra Shipley collected hundreds of shoppers' signatures for a petition calling for a review of fireworks legislation.   During the lunch hour on Tuesday July 30, the MP and her campaign team, including former Mayor of Dudley councillor John Walters, were out and about in town rallying support for firework displays to be controlled by licensed technicians.
The petition also calls for restrictions on the times of year when fireworks can be bought, restrictions on the times of day they can be set off and for firework vendors to meet strict safety criteria.
It also calls for trading standards to be given power to revoke licences from vendors caught selling fireworks to underage kids.
Miss Shipley said: "Last year a huge number of constituents wrote to me on this issue. Lots of elderly people had been very frightened by fireworks hitting their windows and going off at unexpected times either side of Bonfire Night."
She said she would be taking the petition back to Westminster with her to raise the issue with ministers.
The MP added: "I think it will be a long process, but we have to start now as people have said it gets worse each year."

Ulster TV  1 August 2002 Sinn Fein urges parades ban
Sinn Fein today met the Parades Commission and urged it to ban an Apprentice Boys' feeder march from passing the area on August, 11.  Sinn Fein`s Margaret McClenaghan said tension had been high up in and around Ardoyne for well over two years. She said there were three very large fireworks thrown yesterday on Alliance Avenue.   Ball bearings were taped to the fireworks, she added.