Fireworks seized in Byker Wall after reports they were being sold to children from a van
by Nicole Goodwin · ChronicleLiveFireworks have been seized from a Tyneside home after reports they were being sold to children.
Boxes of banned bangers, rogue rockets and prohibited pyrotechnics were discovered when a house in the Byker Wall was raided by authorities which had received reports of a van, driving around the Walker area, selling fireworks to children.
Officers investigated and discovered a Facebook page offering delivery of pyrotechnics in the east end of the city, from which the house that was raided was identified.
Over 200 packets of suspected illegal cigarettes, over 100 non-compliant vapes and a significant quantity of cannabis were also found in the raid, which was carried out by Newcastle City Council's trading standards team, Northumbria Police, and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Coun Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "We know that people love a good Guy Fawkes Night display, but fireworks are potentially very dangerous and because of that their sale is controlled. This seizure was a great result in tackling the illegal supply of fireworks and in helping to keep our city safe.
"If you do want to watch fireworks we would strongly urge you to attend a professionally organised event. However, if you do decide to buy them, then you need to buy from a reputable supplier – not off social media or from someone’s home - and make sure you know how to stay safe, obey the law and be a considerate neighbour."
Chief Inspector David Wheeler, of Northumbria Police, said: "We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Guy Fawkes Night this year. For anyone arranging their own fireworks display, please ensure that you buy legal fireworks only from reputable retailers.
"You may not realise it, but purchasing illegal fireworks often funds much more serious criminality, such as drug-dealing and organised crime."
Only licensed specialist shops are allowed to sell fireworks year-round, and registered sellers – like supermarkets – are only allowed to sell them for certain short periods, including October 15 to November 10. Anyone who then has fireworks must not set them off between 11pm and 7am, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.
Paul Russell, area manager for community safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Buying fireworks from unlicensed sellers can lead to serious, preventable accidents. These products often fail to meet essential safety standards, posing risks of burns, blindness, and other life-altering injuries.
"Beyond the dangers to personal safety, misuse of unsafe fireworks significantly strains emergency services, diverting critical resources from those in genuine need. We'd urge you to attend an organised display this Bonfire Night but if you do decide to celebrate at home, protect yourself and others by buying from licensed retailers and following safety guidelines."
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