South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Crime Unit has been extremely busy working with the ten Unitary Authorities’ Trading Standards Departments in seizing and securing illegal fireworks, which were being stored and sold by unlicensed vendors.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has provided secure storage of these confiscated fireworks within the Service area. To date, approximately £30,000 worth of illegal fireworks have been seized.

Head of Fire Crime at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mick Flanagan said, “We’ve been working in known hot-spots as well as carrying out random checks with Trading Standards and the Police to remove any fireworks that are for sale without licence.  Unfortunately, a lot of these fireworks can find their way into the hands of youths who are using them to cause public nuisance and anti social behaviour within our communities.”

“We have adopted a zero tolerance approach due to the very serious nature of storing and selling fireworks. Fireworks are extremely dangerous in the wrong the hands. The joined up approach where all the agencies have supported each other is already proving to be a success. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service assist with the safe removal and storage of the fireworks confiscated by the team.”  

Illegal fireworks are defined as those that do not conform to British Standards and are usually imported from abroad. They do not display a ‘classification code’ which crucially, will signify whether they are suitable for use by members of the public.

Anyone aware of illegal trading of fireworks should contact their local Trading Standards team in their Local Authority or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.