LCQ14: Illegal discharge of fireworks or firecrackers
22.2.2023

âFollowing is a question by Dr the Hon Priscilla Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (February 22): Question: âIt has been reported that during the period from Lunar New Year's Eve to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year this year, some people were suspected of discharging fireworks or firecrackers illegally in many districts in Hong Kong with reckless disregard for the safety of others. Moreover, some animal protection groups have pointed out that during the aforesaid period, a large number of stray cats and dogs were crushed to death by vehicles while running out into the road after being spooked by the loud noise caused by the discharge of fireworks or firecrackers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the number of persons arrested in the past three years for suspected illegal discharge of fireworks or firecrackers; (2) of the number of accidents caused by illegal discharge of fireworks or firecrackers in the past three years; (3) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of stray cats and dogs which died between Lunar New Year's Eve and the fourth day of the Lunar New Year in each of the past three years and, among them, the number of those which were crushed to death by vehicles while running out into the road after being spooked by the loud noise caused by the discharge of fireworks or firecrackers; and (4) whether, for the purpose of preventing acts of illegal discharge of fireworks or firecrackers, the Police have stepped up efforts in combating related smuggling activities and strengthened education work; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, âIn consultation with the Security Bureau, the reply is as follows: (1) Fireworks and firecrackers are explosives. Their illegal handling can pose a serious threat to lives and properties. The law of Hong Kong strictly regulates activities involving fireworks and firecrackers. Members of the public should not violate the law. Fireworks and firecrackers are considered dangerous goods under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295). Any person who illegally manufactures, stores, conveys or uses dangerous goods is liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 12 months and a fine of $200,000. In addition, under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), any person who wantonly or negligently sets fire to fireworks to cause damage or danger to any person is liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for three months and a fine of $2,000. Between January 1, 2020 and February 8, 2023, a total of 39 persons have been arrested for the above-mentioned crimes. Amongst them, 25 were suspected of unlawful possession of fireworks and the remaining 14 were suspected of illegally setting fire to fireworks. (2) In the past three years, the number of fire calls caused by suspected illegal setting off of fireworks or firecrackers is as follows: Year The number of fire calls caused by suspected illegal setting off of fireworks or firecrackers 2020 0 2021 2 2022 3 (3) Between the Lunar New Year's Eve and the fourth day of the Lunar New Year in 2022 (i.e. January 31 to February 4, 2022), the Police received a total of seven reports of vehicles hitting "specified animals". In the same period during the Lunar New Year in 2023 (i.e. January 21 to 25, 2023), the Police received a total of 17 reports of vehicles hitting "specified animals". The above-mentioned figures are the total numbers of reports of vehicles hitting "specified animals" in the corresponding periods.The Police do not compile statistics on whether these traffic accidents had been caused by animals dashing out onto the road after being frightened by fireworks or firecrackers. According to the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) section 56, "specified animal" means any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat, cat or dog. The Road Traffic Ordinance was amended in 2021. Before the amendment, the definition of "specified animal" did not include cats and dogs. Therefore, prior to 2021, the statistics on reports of vehicles hitting "specified animals" did not include cases related to cats and dogs, and thus cannot be directly compared with the related statistics in 2022 or thereafter. (4) To ensure public safety, the Police have been actively taking intelligence-led enforcement actions against illegal activities involving fireworks and firecrackers in accordance with the law. They have also stepped up enforcement as well as publicity and education efforts during the Lunar New Year. The Police will continue to maintain close liaison with relevant departments and community stakeholders and, through collaboration as well as publicity and education, make the public understand the threat of fireworks and firecrackers to public safety, so as to prevent and combat relevant illegal acts.