Chamber and committees

Will the member take an intervention?

Does the member accept that one of the reasons why we have had to come up with a licensing scheme is that we are having to operate within our restricted devolved powers?

I would like to make some progress.

In response to the point that Martin Whitfield made about displacement and the steps that we will take in that regard, I will see what further detail I can share with the committee on that point ahead of stage 2.

We consulted all the major faith groups to come up with the dates. I can provide the member with more detail on that in writing if he would like that information.

We have retained provision in the bill so that, if it comes to light that there is a celebration that we have perhaps missed, we will be able potentially to update the legislation to reflect that. I have, of course, been mindful of the need for equality during the development of that provision, which was updated in light of engagement with equalities organisations during last year’s consultation.

The measure addresses the concerns that we have heard about the unpredictable use of fireworks being disruptive, and sometimes debilitating, to people and communities as well as to animals. Being aware of when fireworks might be used will enable people to put in place appropriate safeguards while allowing the use of fireworks for celebrations during existing firework periods.

I recognise that restricting the days of supply has the potential to negatively impact specialist firework businesses. Therefore, the bill includes a regulation-making power to enable the introduction of a compensation scheme to address the economic impact of that provision, if that is required.

I cannot give the member any further detail on that at this stage, but I will endeavour to bring forward more detail, perhaps around the time of stage 2. However, as I said, we recognise that restricting days of supply might have an impact on the very small number of businesses that currently sell all year round. My intention is to engage with the businesses that are affected, to further understand the detail of the financial impact that the provision might have on them. I welcome the Criminal Justice Committee’s recommendation that we commence work on the compensation scheme as soon as possible, and an important initial part of that will be engaging with those businesses and understanding the potential financial effects on them.

I note the committee’s concern about the potential impact of the provisions in terms of the risk of people purchasing black market fireworks. That risk has been fully considered during the development of the bill. For example, where any part of the supply of fireworks takes place in Scotland, including the delivery of fireworks, suppliers will be required to check the licence status of the recipient receiving a delivery of fireworks to ensure that they do not commit an offence by supplying to an individual who does not have a fireworks licence.

Of course, the illegal sale and purchase of fireworks will continue to be subject to existing well-established enforcement routes, through trading standards, the police and the courts. The Scottish Government intends to continue to work with those partners to build on and enhance existing processes to tackle black market sales.

Part 4 of the bill provides local authorities with the power to designate firework control zones in which it will be an offence for the general public to use fireworks at any time, including on private property. Communities will have a greater say in the use of fireworks in their local area, with a fair and robust process in place for the consideration of the designation, amendment or revocation of such zones.

Public firework displays will be exempt from firework control zones, as I recognise that such events can and do bring communities together. That will allow people living in such zones to enjoy fireworks in appropriate settings. Professional firework operators are also exempt, in terms of their services in providing both public and private displays.

I note the committee’s concerns about the zones and whether it would be preferable to give local authorities the ability to designate complete no-firework zones. I am interested in hearing the views of members on that point today, particularly in respect of the exemption in the bill for professional firework operators whose services can be engaged for private displays.

Sanitation is not one of the things for which I am personally responsible.

I will address the issues of crime and young people, youth justice and antisocial behaviour. The Scottish Government is increasing funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. I am sure that the member will be well aware of many of the important and successful initiatives that have been carried out by that body. This year, we have increased funding for the unit by 14 per cent, or over £1 million, to deliver additional violence prevention activity in the area.

The member will also know that the Scottish Government has taken forward the successful whole-system approach to address the needs of young people who are involved in offending. That has contributed to a dramatic change in the way that youth justice is carried out in Scotland, and the number of under-18s who are sentenced has decreased by 93 per cent.

The member has asked a number of questions that I do not think I will be able to answer. I would be happy to meet with him if he wants to discuss more of that in detail.

The member correctly identifies that no single approach will solve the issue. He mentioned youth services. The allocation and planning of resources and services for young people is for local authority partners. However, I understand Mr Sweeney’s concerns and those of the residents of Glasgow about the recent antisocial behaviour in the city and behaviour that is harmful or offending. Such behaviour is unacceptable.

It is important to appreciate that young people have certain rights to associate with one another, whether that is in or outside their home communities. I will ask officials to work closely with leads from the national youth justice advisory group to identify whether there are any gaps in youth service provision. In Scotland, we have a strong focus on early and effective intervention and diversion. Glasgow City Council, the children’s reporter and other relevant agencies are already looking in depth at what they can do about the issue and to offer positive alternatives to antisocial behaviour for young people.

I do not have that data with me today, but I can certainly follow that up with the member in writing. A specific offence of pet theft would of course aid in the data gathering on offending behaviour. However, careful consideration needs to be given to the creation of a different or specific offence. I know that the member is considering introducing a proposal on the issue. That risks creating a large number of very similar offences, covering different types of theft.

I would certainly agree that one theft of a dog is one too many, but I am heartened by the internal figures that I have just shared with the Parliament, showing that dog theft is not a high-volume crime in Scotland, with 88 cases being reported last year. We suspect that that figure of 88 cases—being a slight increase on the year before—is likely to have been driven by the rise in demand for puppies during the coronavirus lockdown.

I am not sure; I would have to give that some thought. I can come back to the member, or perhaps the member and I could meet to discuss the issue further.

Everyone has the right to be and to feel safe in their community. We are aware of reports that young people have been travelling to Glasgow to enjoy the city and connect with other young people; we also know that it is only a minority of young people who are carrying out acts of antisocial behaviour.

The police response will continue to be measured and intelligence led, but robust where appropriate, in order to protect the public and young people and to ensure that businesses and the wider community feel safe in the city centre. That response includes the deployment of anti-disorder patrols, which ensure that there is enough capability to respond to spontaneous incidents; the mobile police office, which provides a physical policing base; and mobile closed-circuit television vehicles, which capture evidence in real time. Local authority community enforcement officers support the police, and city centre exclusion orders can be used to place restrictions on offenders.