This autumn Islington Council's Trading Standards Team together with their partners in the Police, Fire Brigade, Environmental Health, Greenspace and Leisure, Housing and Anti-social Behaviour Teams will again be working together to help reduce the troublesome and disruptive behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks.
Cllr George Allan, Executive Member for Customer Focus said:
"Fireworks can be great fun but misusing them can cause distress, damage and injury.
"It's good that the number of reported incidents involving fireworks has fallen but we will keep up the pressure on both retailers and users so they go on falling.
"Illegal sales can be reported to Islington Council Trading Standards on 020 7527 4028."
Anti-social behaviour can be reported to ward-level Safer Neighbourhood Teams who can be contacted at: www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods. In an emergency always dial 999.
This multi-agency approach has operated for the last three years and has successfully led to an overall reduction in complaints to the Police and Fire Service about firework problems.
Homes for Islington (HFI), Anti-social Behaviour Team and partners at Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Fire Brigade (Arson Taskforce), and Trading Standards, have briefed caretakers and Estate Services and Lumber Crews who work for Homes For Islington. Staff at six Area Housing Offices at Holland Walk, Isledon Road, Lyon Street, Upper Street, Boleyn Road, Central Street have been visited to explain the systems in place for tackling and recording the misuse of fireworks for Halloween and Bonfire Night.
A list of registered shops licensed to sell fireworks has been sent to HFI Anti-social Behaviour Officers and letters have gone out to all young people signed up to Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) explaining that firework misuse as a breach of contract.
Islington's community volunteers - The Eyes for Islington - are being asked to report firework misuse to the council or police.
Trading Standards officers will be out during the firework period with child volunteers checking to make sure that shops are not breaking the law on underage sales. It is illegal for under 18s to buy or possess fireworks.
In the past, shop owners have been successfully prosecuted for breaking the law on firework sales. In July 2006, Avers Convenience Store on Holland Walk, N19 was fined £300 with £100 costs for selling fireworks to one of Trading Standards' young volunteers in November 2005.
Islington Council has not staged a major fireworks display in the borough for 10 years following safety fears over large crowds.
For the past six years, groups have bid for council funding for small-scale community based events - this year sees five such displays across the borough. All sites are checked for site suitability and safety. Organisers also receive training from the London Fire Brigade.
Notes to Editors:
The Fireworks Code
www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks/adultA5leaflet.pdf
The law on fireworks state Bonfire Night fireworks must not be let off after midnight. At all other times of the year the curfew starts at 11pm except for 21 October 2006 (Diwali), 31 December 2006 and 18 February 2007 (the first day of Chinese New Year) when this is extended to 1.00am the following morning.
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008