Information on Loughborough

Shops tested to see if they would sell fireworks

Posted on 08/11/07
P. Klein

8th November 2007

exploding fireworkA test purchasing operation to identify retailers who sell fireworks to under-age children has been carried out in Loughborough.

The police worked alongside with Trading Standards Officers and an undercover 15 year old boy to test nine shops around the town on Wednesday 24th October 2007. It is an offence to sell fireworks, including sparklers, to anyone who is under 18. Anyone who breaks the law can be fined up to 5,000 and could face up to 6 months in prison.

Of the nine shops officers visited in Loughborough only four sold fireworks. All four of those shops correctly refused to sell fireworks to the test purchaser.

The town centre Sergeant, Ian Stone said; "I am really pleased that every store we visited complied with the law. We tested shops in areas which have either sold fireworks in the past or where weve had problems with anti-social behaviour in previous years. Age restrictions are there for a reason, fireworks are great fun when used and enjoyed responsibly but they can and do cause untold misery when abused. This might involve people setting them off late at night which disturbs residents or throwing them in the street which is dangerous so I am really pleased that all the stores we tested acted responsibly."

The test purchasing operation was part of Operation Sesame - a drive to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour around Halloween and bonfire night. Both Halloween and bonfire night passed off without major incident in the Loughborough area.

Prior to Guy Fawkes night Leicestershire Constabulary invested time and resources making sure that the message to potential offenders about the dangers of fireworks got through. They also provided reassurance to members of the public who might have felt intimidated or distressed by anti-social behaviour that can occur at this time of year. People were made aware of the firework offences which include:

  • Possession by a person under 18 of an adult firework in a public place. (An adult firework is any firework with the exception of indoor type fireworks such as caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents, sparklers or throw downs.)
  • Possession of a category 4 firework (professional display fireworks) by any member of the public other than a professionally qualified and trained person.
  • Breach of the fireworks curfew. The curfew on the use of fireworks exists between 11pm and 7am usually with the exception on various events. On Bonfire Night the curfew began at midnight.

With relation to Halloween and anti social trick or treaters the force embarked on a campaign of supplying elderly and vulnerable people with posters they could put up on their door saying they didnt want trick or treaters. Posters were also available for shop keepers to deter people from buying flour and eggs. This campaign also has a beneficial effect as the number of egg throwing incidents reported to police during Halloween evening saw a reduction on last year.

Ninety-three (93) incidents of egg throwing were reported compared to 105 the previous year, a reduction of 14%. In addition, there were 80 non-emergency calls relating to Halloween, compared to 116 calls last year and 46 calls relating to firework incidents, up from 23 incidents last year. A further 46 calls, specific to Halloween, were made to the 999 emergency line.

Inspector Rich Hiom of the Forces Community Safety Bureau, said:"Halloween did generate extra calls to our call management centre as unfortunately, there were a number of people who were intent on acting anti-socially and throwing eggs. However we are pleased that there has been a reduction in the number of people who were subjected to this type of attack. Our officers were intent on dealing appropriately with reports of anti-social or disorderly behaviour, ranging from egg throwing to nuisance calls to peoples homes and patrols were increased across the force to reinforce this message.

News report by P. Klein