Calls for tighter controls on firework use in the UK have intensified in recent months, as animal welfare advocates, horse owners, and concerned members of the public unite behind two rapidly growing national petitions. Redwings Horse Sanctuary, a leading equine welfare charity, has been at the forefront of the movement, urging the government to reduce permitted noise levels and introduce stronger protections for animals.
Helen Whitelegg, Campaigns and Education Manager at Redwings, has been spearheading the organisation’s Keep Horses in Mind campaign. According to Whitelegg, the response so far has exceeded expectations.
“Our petition has now reached more than 170,000 signatures in less than three months, which is incredible,” she explained. “We are waiting to hear if and when there will be a parliamentary debate as a result.”
As part of the Fireworks Impact Coalition, Redwings recently attended a drop-in event for MPs at the House of Commons. The session drew visits from an impressive 95 MPs—an unusually high turnout for a drop-in briefing and a clear sign, Whitelegg noted, that backbench interest in firework reform is growing.
Public engagement has been equally strong. Redwings’ social media content, particularly posts highlighting horses distressed by nearby displays, has reached hundreds of thousands of people. One video showing animals at a Berkshire livery yard reacting in fear has been shared more than 11,000 times on Facebook alone.
Support for change extends beyond a single campaign. In addition to Redwings’ petition, a separate petition calling for a total ban on fireworks has also surged past the 150,000-signature threshold. The existence of two major petitions demanding parliamentary consideration is highly unusual—and underlines the urgency felt by the public.
Campaigners argue that if both petitions achieve such overwhelming support yet still fail to prompt meaningful parliamentary action, it would highlight the need for government to take these concerns far more seriously. Many yard owners have already contacted their MPs directly, calling for at least a legally defined minimum distance between firework displays and livestock. Under current legislation, this crucial detail is missing, leaving police with no enforceable grounds to act—even when animals are clearly at risk.
“A minimum permissible distance would make a real difference,” supporters say. “Without it, the current guidance is vague to the point of being unusable. Setting a distance in law would allow authorities to intervene and prosecute where necessary.”
While many accept that a full ban on fireworks may be unlikely due to strong business lobbying, there is widespread agreement that significantly tighter regulation is essential. Questions remain, however, about who would be responsible for enforcing new rules and ensuring displays are carried out responsibly.
For now, campaigners are urging everyone who cares about animal welfare to add their name to the petitions and share them widely. Redwings hopes to reach 200,000 signatures in the coming weeks—an emphatic signal to government that the current situation is no longer acceptable.
As public pressure mounts and parliamentary attention grows, the coming months may prove pivotal in shaping the future of firework legislation in the UK.
Redwings would like the petition to reach more than 200,000 signatures to show the severity of the situation. You can still sign the Redwings petition here