The Public Protection Partnership’s (PPP) Trading Standards Officers and trained underage volunteers have been carrying out inspections and test purchases across Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham borough to ensure retailers comply with strict laws on the sale of fireworks.
It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age and fireworks can only be sold during specific periods:
Retailers must also hold a valid licence and store fireworks safely.
Trading standards officers will check that fireworks are stored properly and securely and away from potential sources of ignition and damp. They will also ensure that businesses have the required licence to legally sell and store fireworks and that the fireworks being sold conform to the relevant safety standards.
A total of 45 premises were inspected (20 in West Berkshire, 13 in Bracknell Forest and 12 in Wokingham) to ensure that the quantity of fireworks and explosives stored was within the permitted limit.
Officers also checked the category stated on the licence and that storage was safe and correct.
A few corrective measures were made relating to boxes incorrectly stored the wrong way up; boxes left outside the secure cabinet and where the quantity on the shop floor was too high, they were reduced.
One premises had placed an order with a supplier using their licence but had arranged delivery to a separate premises, which on investigation was discovered not to be licensed for the quantity or category of explosives. This was dealt with directly with the premises and by way of notification to the relevant trading standards service local to the supplier and to the other premises.
Over the course of the last two weeks, officers have also undertaken a programme of test purchasing for fireworks across Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham Borough.
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Officers visited 26 stores, and we are pleased they did not have a single failure.
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Not one retailer sold fireworks to an underage person.
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Councillor Tom McCann, chairman of the Public Protection Committee, said: “Fireworks are not toys — they are explosives.
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“Selling them to children is dangerous and illegal.
“Our trading standards team will continue to take robust action against any retailer who puts young people and the public at risk.”
Trading standards officers recommend that businesses undertake the following to ensure underage sale are not made:
have an age verification policy of challenge 25 in place.
train all staff on this policy and acceptable forms of ID.
display point of sale and shelf line notices, and
keep a refusals log that is checked at least monthly by a senior staff member.
Residents are advised to purchase fireworks from reputable retailers and steer clear from buying fireworks from markets, car boots or street sellers. Fireworks bought from these sources could be defective and may not meet UK safety requirements. It is worth checking that any fireworks purchased include a CE or UKCA safety mark.
If you are aware, or suspect, that fireworks are being sold illegally or that unsafe fireworks are being sold, please report to Public Protection Partnership on 01635 519930 or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
If fireworks are being used in a public place, or in a dangerous way, or have been let off later than they are allowed then call the police via 101 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies.
