Firework traders targeted
Geoff Bates
TRADING standards officers are to target shops selling fireworks in a bid to crack down on the anti-social behaviour associated with this time of year.
The weeks leading up to, and around, bonfire night regularly see an increase in calls to the police about fireworks being misused and illegal bonfires being set.
The police and Fife Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out visits to schools in areas where there have been problems previously and, where necessary, jointly attending incidents where illegal bonfires or secondary fires have been set.
The most common calls to the police at this time of year relate to anti-social behaviour involving setting off or throwing fireworks.
Steven Michie, Fife Fire and Rescue Service community safety station manager, said: “Watching fireworks can be great fun but there are incidents where children and adults are injured by fireworks-related accidents.
“It is much safer to attend public organised displays which are properly licensed.
“If you are planning a home display, be sure not to put family, friends, neighbours and pets at risk.”
Police officers and community wardens will be patrolling their communities and also looking out for illegal bonfires being built.
Fife Council’s consumer and business education manager, Geoff Bates, said fireworks were only safe when used properly.
Mr Bates added: “It’s safest to go to an organised display. They are good value because of the number and size of fireworks used, and the volunteers have received safety advice on how to run a display.”
Details of all organised community displays are available on www.fifedirect.org.uk.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
