Tougher approach promised on sale of fireworks

Firework sellers face tougher rules in the run up to Bonfire Night and New Year celebrations this year.

At a meeting called to give a boost to the Good Guy firework sales scheme, run for the past two years, it was agreed that further measures will be explored in a bid to stamp out the illegal sales of unsafe fireworks and the sale of fireworks to children.

The meeting, held on 8 August, brought together Trading Standards, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and the Council’s Community safety team.

It was chaired by Andy Glover, the Borough’s Chief Trading Standards Officer. The meeting agreed that:

• all agencies were in favour of enhanced partnership working this year
• a single phone number on which all incidents of firework abuse could be reported would benefit communities and it was agreed that this would be explored
• supermarkets in the Borough would be targeted to join the Good Guy scheme; traditionally there has been a low uptake of the scheme from supermarkets
• joint inspections to ensure traders comply with their legal obligations could be feasible
• a high profile launch of the Good Guy scheme 2006 will take place in October
• updated information on traders’ legal obligations would be made available to them.

A further meeting next month will look at progress on all these issues.

Andy Glover, Chief Trading Standards Officer, said: "The meeting was extremely well-attended and all agencies were very supportive of what was being proposed.

"The Borough’s residents can look forward to the Good Guy scheme being even more successful than ever this year, with a consequent increase in public safety."

Date article online: 10/08/2006