Fireworks seized after reports explosives sold to children

Joint council, police and fire service raid nets prohibited pyrotechnics, illegal tobacco and drugs
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Some of the fireworks seized in a joint raid by trading standards, police and the fire service on a house on the Byker Wall in Newcastle

Felonious firework sellers have seen their illicit business become a damp squib after a pre-Bonfire Night raid by authorities in Newcastle.

Newcastle City Council’s trading standards team, Northumbria Police, and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service raided a house in the Byker Wall after reports of fireworks being sold to children.

There they found boxes of banned bangers, rogue rockets, and prohibited pyrotechnics, as well as over 200 packets of suspected illegal cigarettes, over 100 non-compliant vapes and a significant quantity of cannabis.

Cllr Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We know that people love a good Guy Fawkes Night display, but fireworks are potentially very dangerous and because of that their sale is controlled.

“This seizure was a great result in tackling the illegal supply of fireworks and in helping to keep our city safe.

“If you do want to watch fireworks we would strongly urge you to attend a professionally organised event.

“However, if you do decide to buy them, then you need to buy from a reputable supplier – not off social media or from someone’s home - and make sure you know how to stay safe, obey the law and be a considerate neighbour.”

Social media leads authorities to raid house

Authorities had received reports of a van, driving around the Walker area, selling fireworks to children.

Officers investigated and discovered a Facebook page offering delivery of pyrotechnics in the east end of the city, from which the house that was raided was identified.

Chief Inspector David Wheeler, of Northumbria Police, said: “We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Guy Fawkes Night this year.

“For anyone arranging their own fireworks display, please ensure that you buy legal fireworks only from reputable retailers.

“You may not realise it, but purchasing illegal fireworks often funds much more serious criminality, such as drug-dealing and organised crime.”

When you can buy fireworks and let them off

Only licensed specialist shops are allowed to sell fireworks year-round, and registered sellers – like supermarkets – are only allowed to sell them for certain short periods, including 15 October to 10 November.

Anyone who then has fireworks must not set them off between 11pm and 7am, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Paul Russell, area manager for community safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Buying fireworks from unlicensed sellers can lead to serious, preventable accidents.  

"These products often fail to meet essential safety standards, posing risks of burns, blindness, and other life-altering injuries.

“Beyond the dangers to personal safety, misuse of unsafe fireworks significantly strains emergency services, diverting critical resources from those in genuine need.

“We’d urge you to attend an organised display this Bonfire Night but if you do decide to celebrate at home, protect yourself and others by buying from licensed retailers and following safety guidelines.”

Main image: Just some of the fireworks seized as part of the raid on a property in the Byker Wall.