With New Year celebrations nearly upon us, Islington Council is again warning retailers that the sale of fireworks to under 18s is illegal.
After Bonfire Night, New Year is the second most popular event for which people buy fireworks.
As part of its annual fireworks campaign in October and November 2006, Islington Council Trading Standards visited 26 local fireworks retailers to test if sales were being made illegally to teenagers. A total of four retailers (15 per cent of those tested) were caught selling to underage test-purchasers.
It is illegal to sell fireworks to under 18s.
Children aged 13 to 16 were used for the exercises, which took place over four separate dates in the run up to Bonfire Night on 5 November.
Cllr George Allan, Executive Member for Customer Focus Islington Council said:
"It's disappointing that some Islington retailers flout the law by selling fireworks to under-18s.
"We are investigating four shops with a view to prosecution.
"Islington Council works closely with housing, police and the fire brigade to minimise firework-related offences. This exercise will leave retailers in no doubt about the risks they run."
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008