ELENA Whitham, the Minister for Community Safety, has made handing Police Scotland increased powers to stop pyrotechnics being set off illegally inside football stadiums “a priority”.

MSPs at Holyrood passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 – which enables police officers to search anyone who they believe may be carrying pyrotechnic devices outside of a ground without warrant – back in June.

However, further legislation is required before the act comes fully into force and Mrs Whitham stressed the government is currently working to push this through amid concern about the widespread use of flares and smoke bombs at games in this country. Glasgow Times:

“The pyrotechnics possession offences in the Firework and Pyrotechnics (Scotland) Act 2022 are designed to ensure appropriate action is taken in response to the misuse of pyrotechnic devices, such as flares,” she said.

“It is already a criminal offence to take, or attempt to take, pyrotechnics, including fireworks, into football stadiums. What the act strives to achieve in providing Police Scotland with these powers is prevention wherever possible.

“It deters those who may be tempted to carry a pyrotechnic into a crowded public event and provides Police Scotland with powers that mean they can take action at an earlier stage.

“The pyrotechnic possession offences in the act are not limited to football matches, but will tackle misuse at other sporting events, concerts and festivals and all public places.

“The new pyrotechnic possession offences require further legislation before they can commence in full and work is underway to take this forward as a priority.”

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Figures released by the Football Policing Unit – an organisation that operates in England and Wales – back in September showed that pyrotechnics offences at matches down south had risen dramatically since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased and the situation is no different in Scotland.

Mrs Whitham, the SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, is concerned about the potential dangers of football fans setting off flares and smoke bombs in crowds and is hopeful the new police powers will help to address what is an escalating problem.  

“No one should be put at risk of harm from the misuse of pyrotechnic devices,” she said. “Setting off a pyrotechnic device in a crowded space is illegal, dangerous and irresponsible and every time one is carried into an event, it puts the individual themselves and those around them at risk.

“Any misuse of pyrotechnics inside stadiums carries danger - for the individual themselves and the people around them. In addition, we have seen instances of misuse that has caused costly damage to the stand and pitch.

“The Scottish government recognises the serious impact of misuse in such settings – from distress and alarm, to the potential for serious injury and even, as has been seen in other countries, loss of life.

“That is why a preventative approach is so important, to ensure our public events and places are as safe as possible for all those in attendance.”

Glasgow Times:

Meanwhile, Mrs Whitham has welcomed the efforts being made by clubs, the police, supporters’ groups, the SFA and the SPFL to stop pyrotechnic use at matches and make stadiums safe places for spectators. 

“Football clubs are at the heart of their communities and we know how important the match-day experience is for so many,” she said. “We want this experience to continue to be a safe and enjoyable one for all by minimising the risks of harm caused by pyrotechnics and fireworks.

“We welcome the stance that football authorities, individual clubs and many fans and fan groups have taken over the years, speaking out against the misuse of pyrotechnics and working together on various joint messaging and awareness campaigns.”