South Ayrshire Council - News - Firework Sellers Continue Sparkling Results on Underage Sales

Firework Sellers Continue Sparkling Results on Underage Sales

South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service congratulated local firework sellers this week after a project revealed for the second year running that traders would not sell fireworks to an underage test purchase volunteer.

In a repeat of last year’s project, the Service used several 16-year-old volunteers in an attempt to buy fireworks from registered sellers in Ayr, Troon, Prestwick and the surrounding area. As was the case last year, not one single illegal sale was made despite virtually every firework seller being subjected to a test purchase. Fireworks can only be legally sold to persons over 18 and where shopkeepers compromise firework safety by breaking the law on underage sales, enforcement action can result in fines of up to £5000. Encouragingly in all instances this year the young volunteers were refused a sale. Instead retailers asked for proof of age (such as the Council’s Young Scot card) and politely declined to sell when it wasn’t produced.

Commenting on the findings, Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of the Council’s Community Safety Committee said, "These results are extremely pleasing. Trading Standards and Police Officers worked hard in the build up to bonfire night to ensure that registered sellers knew about storing fireworks correctly and selling them responsibly, especially avoiding underage sales. I am pleased that local retailers seem to be getting the message and are acting responsibly when it comes to selling these very dangerous products. Our enforcement activity has seen a percentage drop in stores selling from 25% to 0% in the space of four years. This is a great achievement. The use of test purchase volunteers is still a relatively new tactic for our officers but the results prove that the advice and assistance is working.”

Councillor Hunter continued, “There are two main issues associated with firework sales. Firstly these are very dangerous products that can cause terrible injuries to consumers if they are not used responsibly. Secondly there is the potential for fireworks to be a huge source of anti-social behaviour in the local community. Fireworks can be a very divisive subject, and it is important that local residents have confidence that we are doing all we can to avoid sales of fireworks to underage persons as well as the anti-social behaviour associated with their misuse.”

According to the latest statistics for fireworks injuries in Scotland, 94 people were injured as a result of fireworks use and misuse. This was a significant increase on the previous year and this was mainly due to injuries caused to children under 16. The majority (78%) of injuries occur as casual incidents in the street and other public places and at family or private parties (41 and 32 cases respectively).

Tough regulations were introduced across Scotland in 2004 to combat the misuse of fireworks, including a curfew prohibiting anyone from setting them off between 11pm and 7am. The only nights exempt from the curfew are Bonfire Night, Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and the Hindu Festival of Light.

South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service have vowed to continue a programme of test purchasing of age restricted products using young volunteers. They have asked local consumers to let them know of any traders who are flouting the law when it comes to selling age restricted products to young people. Complaints can be made by calling 01292 616060 and you need not give your name.

November 2006