Coppice residents say fireworks are being set off as late as 2am, disrupting sleep and leaving pets terrified.
Local charity worker Afruz Miah BEM said the issue has been “ongoing” and that community members have complained to the council, but they feel no action has been taken.
He said: “There are genuine concerns. People need to be educated because they assume the permitted time for fireworks ends at midnight, but they are generally not allowed between 11pm and 7am.”
The permitted hours for setting off fireworks is extended to midnight on Bonfire Night and until 1am on Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year’s Eve.
Afruz said it happens a lot, especially during the wedding season and when other celebrations take place, including Independence Day celebrations across Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities in the area.
“There are also celebrations in the Eastern European community. It’s not just one community that is responsible, but rather across the board,” he said. “It affects people’s health and well-being. I sometimes work late, so when fireworks go off in the middle of the night, I am unable to sleep.”
Afruz added that he keeps his windows open for ventilation even during winter, so the noise of fireworks keeps him and his family awake, which results in missing obligatory early morning prayers.
“Our religion teaches us not to disturb our neighbours,” Afruz added. “In fact, our faith teaches that we should make things easy for our neighbours.”
Afruz believes the authorities need to take stronger action to stop this kind of behaviour. “They need to make an example of rule breakers by taking people to court or charging them with hefty fines,” he said.
Another resident on Harrow Avenue, Paul Jackson, said: “It’s a constant nuisance. We take in unwanted and ill-treated dogs, so we have quite a few pets. You can imagine what happens when a bright spark sets off fireworks at two o’clock in the morning. All hell breaks loose.
“It’s annoying because we don’t hear them straight away, but our dogs and cats do. When fireworks go off, the dogs start barking. We have one or two that are frightened to death.
“It’s been going on for at least three years. It’s not only due to weddings, but it’s because of kids letting off fireworks in the car park and nearby fields.
“It affects our sleep pattern as all the dogs start barking in the middle of the night. We did complain but nothing ever happens. Ideally, they should ban fireworks.”
Paul’s wife, Amanda, said: “Fireworks don’t only go off on one night, but it goes on for weeks in the build-up to different occasions such as New Year’s Eve or Bonfire Night.
“The noise levels are much higher than they used to be. It’s scary really. Children are throwing them at each other. Sometimes, we have to go to the vets to get sedatives for the dogs as they are so terrified.”
An Oldham Council spokesperson said the authority was committed to tackling nuisance fireworks and had worked with partner organisations, fireworks retailers and wedding venues to promote compliance with the law. Council teams also visited wedding venues to explain the rules and advise them on practical steps.
"It is important that residents continue to report incidents of nuisance fireworks, as this helps partners build an accurate picture of where and when problems are occurring, target enforcement and prevention activity appropriately, and take action against those responsible where evidence allows,” the council spokesperson added.
If fireworks are being let off after 11pm, residents should report it to Greater Manchester Police online at www.gmp.police.uk, by calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Residents can also find more information and advice about fireworks on the Oldham Council website at Fireworks advice | Fireworks advice | Oldham Council."
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