Fireworks ban a step in the right direction

Joe Benton MP has welcomed steps by the government to ban the possession of fireworks by under 18s.

Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt unveiled measures to crack down on fireworks terror today, 5th November, and the new powers that will make the possession of fireworks by under-18s in public places illegal.

In addition, the possession of the largest, most powerful, 'category 4' fireworks will be outlawed to all members of the public; and fixed penalty notices for people caught throwing fireworks in the street will be doubled to £80 under the penalty notice for disorder scheme currently being rolled out nationally.

Welcoming the moves, Joe Benton MP said

"People in Bootle are sick and tired of being terrorised by yobs who throw fireworks around the streets, or blow up post boxes and phone boxes. The misuse of fireworks is just another way that a small minority of people can make the lives of the majority a misery and a living hell and I am delighted that the government are taking tough action to rid us of this menace.

"Misuse of fireworks can force people to live in fear in their own homes, and tackling this problem is just part of our work to create safer cleaner streets by combating anti-social and yobbish behaviour in our communities."