Merthyr Tydfil’s Trading Standards Service will again be carrying out its annual check on licensed Fireworks sellers in the Authority. The checks form part of the Borough wide ‘Operation Bang’, a Community Safety Partnership multi-agency event carried out over the Halloween and bonfire festivities.
The checks ensure that fireworks are being correctly stored and appropriate advice is given to retailers to prevent sales to those underage. Retailers storing and supplying fireworks without the appropriate license could face prosecution.
In past years, the genuine licensed retailers have, following advice, complied with their responsibilities and the issue of underage sales has not been apparent, however intelligence received by Trading Standards indicates a problem with the illegal sale of fireworks in the shadow economy and in particular sales from domestic premises and the supply to persons under 18.
Not only are these sales illegal but there are also health and safety concerns where large amounts of fireworks are incorrectly stored posing risk to the seller’s home and that of their neighbours.
If anybody has information on the illegal supply of fireworks or wants advice on the law surrounding the supply of fireworks, they can contact Trading Standards on 01685 725027.
The issue of anti-social behaviour attributed to the use of fireworks are dealt with by the Police and should be reported by ringing 101 or in the case of an emergency 999.
