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10 October 2007
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning shot to anyone storing or selling fireworks illegally in the run-up to Bonfire Night.
The service has a policy of thoroughly investigating any complaints made of illegal sales and storage of fireworks, and those convicted can face a fine of up to £5,000 and the confiscation of the fireworks.
Roger Marris, Senior Explosives Inspector for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “At this time of year fireworks are widely available to members of the public to purchase; mostly from legal but some from illegal suppliers.
“Legal suppliers are shops and other retail outlets that are registered or licensed by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to store fireworks. Illegal suppliers are typically those selling fireworks at car boot sales, from the back of vans and from domestic properties.
“We act on all complaints and suspicions and this has resulted in a number of successful prosecutions in recent years. One complaint has resulted in a householder in Calderdale being charged with illegal storage and the case will be heard later this month.”
There are restrictions on the periods of time shops can sell fireworks to the general public without holding a special licence to do so.
These are:
• On the first day of the Chinese New Year and Diwali and the 3 days immediately preceding the festivals;
• Between 15th October and 10th November
• Between 26th to 31st December
Some shops and specialists suppliers do have licences to supply fireworks all-year-round. Retailers holding these special licences are asked to display their licences at the point-of-sale as visible proof to customers, the police and trading standards officers that any sales are legal.
Members of the public and organisers of fireworks displays are allowed to keep certain quantities of fireworks without the need for a registration or a licence from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The allowances are: -
• 5 kg can be kept indefinitely
• An unlimited quantity can be kept for up to 24 hours
• 250 kg can be kept for up to 3 days in their place of intended use
• 50 kg can be kept for up to 21 days and not for sale or use at work.
Fireworks are quantified by the amount of explosive substance contained in the article. This figure will be marked on the transport carton as the ‘net mass weight’ or the net explosive content (NEC). If the figure is not marked or is unknown, the NEC can be calculated by weighing the fireworks and dividing the weight by 4.
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For further information contact Kelly Thornham in the Media and PR Unit on 01274 655807.