The Honolulu Advertiser, 28  December 1999 , Fireworks mayhem begins
New Year's Eve is less than a week away, and fireworks-related incidents already have seriously injured a teenager and burned part of a Pearl City home.  Police fear there will be more such fireworks accidents as New Year's nears because of the amount of fireworks available on Oahu, including illegal aerial fireworks.
Doctors yesterday were trying to save the right eye of a 14-year-old girl who was injured when a sparkler bomb exploded in her hand Sunday night in Waimanalo.
The Pearl City fire was caused by illegal aerial fireworks; neighbors prevented serious damage to the home.
The incidents were two of the fireworks-related incidents reported over the weekend and yesterday to police and fire departments.
Honolulu Police detective Jimmy Kawakami said the girl was celebrating her birthday when she lit a sparkler bomb - several packages of sparklers bundled together.
The bomb exploded in her hand, shooting sparkler fragments into her face and eye, Kawakami said. The girl suffered facial cuts and serious damage to her right eye, he said.
The girl was taken to Castle Hospital and later transferred to Kaiser Hospital. She was in stable condition yesterday, and her family requested no other information be released, a hospital spokeswoman said.
No one else was injured in the blast, Kawakami said.
"It's sad," he said. "It could have been avoided."
Kawakami, who has been the police department's bomb investigator for seven years, said an improvised homemade bomb, such as Sunday's sparkler bomb, is not a "play thing."
"Bombs are very unstable," Kawakami said. "You can light 10 and on the 11th one, it can blow up in your face.
"I don't want to go to the hospital and see everybody crying," Kawakami continued. "I'm tired of that already. There's too much suffering every year."
In other fireworks-related incidents:
Police yesterday arrested a 54-year-old Waipio Gentry man for allegedly selling illegal aerial fireworks at his 94-1065 Puana St. home.
Sgt. Clayton Chung said police recovered 173 units of aerial fireworks weighing more than 500 pounds and valued at $5,000.
Chung said the Honolulu Police Department conducted an undercover investigation based on a tip from Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi about the illegal sales. Police arrested the man on suspicion of selling fireworks without a license, a petty misdemeanor.
Police yesterday morning arrested three boys for allegedly using a golf club and fireworks to attack a man and woman inside their car at McCully Street and Kapiolani Boulevard in McCully.
Police said one of the attackers used a golf club to shatter the windows of the victims' car. Another attacker threw lit fireworks into the car. Police later arrested the three boys in the Hawaii Kai area on suspicion of first-degree criminal property damage.
A man walking his dog at Ipupai Place and Awiki Street in Mililani found a homemade bomb near a metal light pole Sunday night. Another bomb was found seven feet away, Kawakami said.
"It rained, so it didn't go off," Kawakami said. "Lucky."
Firefighters yesterday morning continued to investigate a Christmas Eve fireworks fire at 1427 Kanihi St. in Pearl City that burned a weight-lifting bench and part of a patio wall.
Investigators determined aerial fireworks, illegal in Hawaii, caused the fire. No one was injured. The residents were attending church, and neighbors extinguished the fire, Pearl City Capt. Gary Pardy said.
"Potentially, this could have been catastrophic," Pardy said. "It was very fortunate the neighbors were there. It's a heads-up for everybody to be cautious with fireworks. Hopefully one day we'll get this illegal stuff under control."
Under state law, there are no limits on the number of firecrackers a person can buy, but aerial fireworks are banned. Firecrackers may be set off only between 9 p.m. New Year's Eve and 1 a.m. New Year's Day.

This is Bradford  20 November 1999: Councillor calls for firework campaign
AFTER three weeks of explosions, bangs and screeches in the lead up to Guy Fawkes' night, Skipton town councillor Polly English is fighting back for the sake of the elderly and pets in Craven.   Though not anti-firework, she wants to see a campaign started which will urge people to be more responsible because she says people and animals are terrified by the unexpected bangs at all hours of the day and night.
"I enjoy fireworks as much as the next person but only when they are expected. It is irresponsible of people to set them off as much as three weeks before November 5," she said.
Coun English, who runs a mobile dog grooming business, travels all around Craven and the message is the same everywhere.  "It can be awkward when I am clipping someone's dog and a firework goes off," she said. Many of the dogs she grooms are show dogs, including her three Kerry Blues which have qualified for Crufts next year.
"My eldest bitch is 11 and her teeth literally chatter the whole time there is excessive noise. If a firework went off just before a show I wouldn't be able to show her, it's as simple as that. She is physically sick. "With all the noise over the last three weeks it's a wonder she hasn't had a heart attack," added Coun English.
As well as the pets, Coun English is concerned for the elderly people in Craven.
"All I ask is for more responsibility from people and would like to see a campaign set up which can control the problem.  "This could include fireworks not being offered for sale until at least a week before bonfire night and that they should not be let off until November 5," she added.
If anyone is willing to get a campaign off the ground, Coun English can be contacted on 01756 790287.

This is Cheshire 12 November 1999: MAN HIT BY ROCKET AT BONFIRE DISPLAY
A WINSFORD man was injured when he was hit by a rocket at a firework display at the Victoria Club in Holmes Chapel.
Stephen Broadbent, 27, was watching the display with his girlfriend and her two-year-old baby when he was struck by the rogue firework on the back of the head.
Mr Broadbent said: "A rocket went up in the air and hit me when it came back down. It was over a metre in length and cut quite deep.
"I was carrying a baby at the time and it could have been a lot worse."
Mr Broadbent was not seriously hurt, although there was a lot of blood and he had to clean the wound himself under a shower in the clubhouse.
Victoria Club Steward Jeremy Wooton said: "An inquiry was made to see if the number of people expected to attend required St John Ambulance, but they were not deemed necessary. We were very concerned and did everything we could for Mr Broadbent. Other than this one incident the evening was very successful and the 400 people who came had a great time."

This is Cheshire 12 November 1999: YOUNG GIRL HIT BY STRAY ROCKET AT VERDIN PARK DISPLAY
A TEENAGER was hit by a flying firework during an event at Verdin Park in Northwich.
The rocket failed to gain sufficient height and hurtled out into the crowd, hitting Rebecca Astbury.  Luckily the burning material did not cause any serious injury, although it burnt through her coat.
She had attended the event with a friend, Zoe Lucock, aged eight, and her father Neil Lucock.
"My daughter was terrified and both she and Rebecca insisted on leaving the display immediately," said Mr Lucock.
But Mr Lucock was most angry that the organisers did not stop the display.
A spokesman for the event, organised by Northwich Round Table and Rotary clubs, said: "The weather was horrendous and there was a strong wind. But we were trying to keep the fireworks away from the crowd.  "No injuries were reported to St John Ambulance on the night."

This is Trafford 11 November 1999: Bonfire fright
PARENTS desperately tried to protect their children when rockets shot into a large crowd at an organised firework display in Bowdon.  One dad, Nigel Gaskell, watched in horror as he saw a powerful firework explode next to where his four year old daughter, Jessica, was standing.  For a couple of minutes after the explosion he couldn't see either Jessica or her mum, Sam, and he feared the worst - but luckily Sam had managed to drag the little girl to safety during the disastrous display at Bowdon Hockey, Cricket and Tennis Club. Part of the exploding firework had careered into the pram of the couple's 20 month old baby, Samuel, and burnt it - but fortunately Nigel had earlier lifted the baby into his arms for the display.  Another dad, Tony Adams, saved his seven year-old son, Jordan, from being hit by a rocket by putting up his umbrella and holding it in front of his face.  Twelve people were injured, with three needing hospital treatment, after two rockets hurtled into the crowd at the South Downs Road ground during the annual display. The other injured people were treated by St John Ambulance personnel and none of the injuries were serious. But spectators say the event could easily have ended in tragedy - and are questioning the decision to go ahead with it with rain lashing down, and the response of the organisers to the accident last Friday.
Nigel, of Maple Avenue, Stretford, says: "We saw fizzing and a rocket just came at us like a bazooka. It happened so quickly and the rocket went to the left side of me where Jessica was standing and exploded. Jessica was exactly in front of it. As the firework exploded a piece of it bounced off my leg. I was holding Samuel and I also picked up a young boy who was transfixed. There was a lot of screaming and shouting and I could not find my wife and daughter.  "As I knew Jessica was right next to where the firework exploded I was fraught with worry and I presumed the worst. Then to my relief I saw Sam crouching over Jessica, who was in floods of tears.  "We are told to attend organised displays for safety reasons but I will never take the children to an organised display again."
Only the quick actions of Tony Adams, of Regent Road, Altrincham, prevented his son, Jordan, being seriously hurt. He told SAM: "Out of the corner of my eye I saw something whizz by and explode in the crowd. I put my umbrella up in front of my son's face and another one exploded just two feet in front of us. The umbrella was wrecked by the explosion. If it had not been for the umbrella shielding him, my little lad would have been seriously hurt. He would have got it full blast in the face."  He criticised the organising team's response: "After the incident there was no announcement for four or five minutes. All around there were kids and women crying and nobody seemed to know what to do. They did not seem to have a contingency plan.  "I took my son to an organised display for safety reasons. You think these displays will be safe but no one seemed to know what they were doing."
Nigel Gaskell - who is a chef lecturer at South Trafford College and owns the Felicity Hat Hire shop in Sale, believes there should have been more organisers taking control after the accident: "A lot of police came over after the explosion. It was very well policed. But I only saw one of the organising team dealing with the situation at the place where the accident happened."  The firework display was staged by FTF Worldwide of Luton. In a statement, FTF said: "The Health and Safety Executive were informed of the accident and an investigation was started next morning. The cause of the accident appears to have been the malfunction of a firework, the main part of which ignited early and exploded. The explosion then displaced a rack of other fireworks, three of which discharged, as they were programmed to do on the electronic firing control system, almost immediately. "The security aspects of the event were set up, as in previous years, in conjunction with St John Ambulance, the Greater Manchester Police and ShowSec international. Each of these organisations had personnel on site during the event.  "On the day after the accident the club received many calls praising the emergency services for their speed of action and handling of the situation, and commending the club for its organisation."

This is Bradford  8 November 1999: 'Totally, utterly mindless'
Bus drivers are demanding urgent talks after buses were targeted by thugs involved in Friday's trouble.  Two drivers and several passengers were injured and several buses were damaged after coming under fire from stones and fireworks in the Marshfields and West Bowling areas. Today Ronnie Morrison, regional industrial organiser for the T & G union, said he was contacting the police and Bradford Council to discuss ways of protecting buses in the future.  With moving buses targeted by a hail of missiles, he said, it was lucky there were no more serious injuries.  "If a driver was seriously injured while the bus was moving along at 30 mph, it could easily go out of control and anything could happen," Mr Morrison said. "It's very worrying because these buses were on the move when they were attacked. One of the bus drivers involved was a young lady and she really did panic, she couldn't get out of the vehicle. It's the thought of what could happen that frightens people, particularly drivers."
He said he would be trying to organise the meetings as soon as possible on behalf of around 350 Bradford drivers who are in the T&G union.

This is Cheshire  5 November 1999: Crackdown on shopkeepers who flout fireworks laws
A PLEA has gone out to prevent Guy Fawkes night ending in tragedy in Warrington as a crackdown is launched on shopkeepers who illegally sell fireworks to youngsters.
Police and trading standards officials are intending to investigate traders who flout fireworks legislation.
And Clr John Joyce, chairman of Cheshire Fire Authority, has urged a responsible attitude towards Bonfire Night celebrations today, Friday, after a spate of attacks on homeowners in the town.
Clr Joyce warned: "We are pleading with people to attend only organised bonfires because they will enjoy better displays in a safer environment."
Firefighters and borough council workers have been called out to a series of flashpoints during the past week, including dismantling illegal bonfires for public safety reasons.  In recent attacks, a training centre in Irwell Road was hit, with a firework posted through a letterbox, causing smoke damage and scorch marks. A similar incident occurred at an empty house in Linnett Close, Orford, the previous day.
A fire brigade spokesman said: "We were alerted before any serious damage was caused. But the potential is still there for a disaster."
Firebugs also caused chaos when they threw a firework into Boozebusters off licence in Orford Lane.  Det Ch Insp John Hart told the town's police forum on Tuesday: "The biggest problem we have is fireworks getting into the hands of youngsters in the first place.
"But as long as we have got shops ready to sell them then we have a problem," said DCI Hart, confirming that police and trading standards planned to target potential offenders.

This is Bradford  2 November 1999: Family terror in firework attack
A family have spoken of their terror after a four-year-old girl's dress was set alight by a firework stuffed through their letterbox.
The Asian family, who will not be named for fear of reprisals, say they have been the victims of an 18-month hate campaign waged by a gang of youths on their council estate in Liversedge.
Police were called to their home on Saturday night after the four-year-old's dress was singed by a rocket which flew into her as she played behind her front door. Her 31-year-old mother managed to beat out the sparks as the firework careered around the stairwell before exploding at the top of the stairs. Police say they are now trying to establish whether it was a racist attack.
The family's 13-year-old daughter, the eldest of seven children, said: "She was screaming and crying and my mum ran to put out the sparks.  There were holes in her clothes from the flames."
Last night police were questioning a 15-year-old boy about the incident. The family, who live on the Firthcliffe Estate, said they had suffered racist abuse since moving there from a privately rented home last year. On bonfire night last year, the family's car was burnt out. They said their home was regularly pelted with eggs and their children are hit in the street. In the past two weeks a firework has been pushed through their letterbox and their living room window has been cracked by an air gun pellet.
Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to contact Dewsbury CID on (01924) 431105.

This is Trafford 28 October 1999: Crackdown on fireworks
AN INITIATIVE which aims to reduce crimes and accidents involving fireworks has been launched in Trafford.  The joint initiative between Altrincham CID, Manchester Fire Brigade and the Trading Standards Office is targeting firework stockists as well as parents. It will run between October 14 and November 11. Fireworks Liaison Officer PC Amanda Goulding said: "Every year during the two weeks before bonfire night there is a great increase in firework related incidents.  "To combat this, each area police officer will be visiting stockists of fireworks in their area, to ensure they are storing them properly and not selling them to under 18s."
Anyone breaking the laws faces prosecution and can face a fine of up to £5,000 or six months imprisonment for each offence.
PC Goulding said: "We can inform shop owners of the laws, but it is up to them to educate their staff."  Fireworks should not be sold to children, and stockists must be registered with the fire authority. PC Goulding said: "Once we have the co-operation of the stockists we can concentrate on people on the streets, who can endanger themselves and others by messing around with fireworks."
The initiative also wants to raise the awareness of adults and teach them about the dangers of giving fireworks to children. They are warned not let them take fireworks on to the streets. PC Goulding said: "Most injuries involving fireworks take place on the streets and in the home. We would recommend going to an organised event on bonfire night. It is cheaper than buying your own fireworks and they usually have proper security measures."

This is Cheshire  20 October 1999: FIREWORK PROBE
AN INQUIRY has begun in Halton into the illegal sale of fireworks.
Fireworks should not be on general sale more than three weeks before November 5.
And the origin of these illegally-sold fireworks is being investigated by Halton Council's consumer protection division.
Cllr Liam Temple, of Castlefields ward, has received complaints and says the illegal sale and subsequent use of fireworks in public places can cause a danger to residents.
Cllr Phil Harris, chairman of the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Committee, said: "We have no reason to believe that any of these premises registered to legally store and sell fireworks is selling them before they should be doing so.
"If the fireworks are coming from illegal sources, then the safety of them may also be questionable.
"Anyone selling fireworks without being registered with the Consumer Protection Division or selling them to someone under 18 years of age is doing so illegally.
"If they are detected they will face prosecution and fines up to £5,000."
It is also an offence to throw or discharge fireworks in streets or a public place, and offenders face action by the police.
Cllr Harris emphasised that Halton Council will not tolerate the illegal storage, sales or use of fireworks.
Officers of the Consumer Protection Division will investigate all breaches and will come down hard on offenders, he said.
They are particularly concerned this year that the sale and use of fireworks will be an ongoing activity from now until the New Year.
Registered retailers will hopefully be complying with an industry agreed code of practice which will limit the sale of fireworks to the three weeks leading up to November 5 and a few days following it.
Fireworks should then not be available until December 27 for the millennium celebrations.
If you know of anyone who is selling fireworks illegally, please contact the Consumer Protection Division on 0151-471 7515.

BBC News 12 October 1999 Northern Ireland  Warning after girl's fingers blown off
The family of an eight-year-old girl badly injured by a rocket which exploded in her hand have appealed for people to show extra caution when handling fireworks
Natasha McCausland lost four fingers, and her seven-year-old brother Nathan was also slightly injured, in the incident in the Knockmoy area of the town on Monday night.
The brother and sister had been playing in a garden when they found the rocket at approximately 1830 BST.
It is understood the firework exploded while Natasha held it in her hand.
A number of local people raised the alarm. Two of the injured girl's missing fingers were found near the scene.
This morning Natasha underwent surgery in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast while her brother was released with minor injuries.
The children's mother, Anne McCausland, said Natasha also suffered injuries to her leg and could lose her thumb.
"It was like a big bang, in fact some people here thought it was a gas explosion," she said.
Natasha's older sister, Bernice O'Neill, said the children could have been killed in the explosion. She warned parents to take extra care with their children while they handled fireworks.
"Be careful and watch your kids and, for the kids themselves, they're dangerous, they can kill you."
Millenium danger
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) spokesperson Janice Bisp has predicted more people will be injured this year because of the increased number of fireworks in use for millennium celebrations.
"There are going to be more Natashas, I expect, before Halloween," she said.
"Unless we have got the message through to parents that they need to learn the firework safety code themselves and teach it to their children, I can't see we're going to make a huge difference compared to last year," she said
An RUC spokesman also appealed for parents to warn their children of the dangers of fireworks.
He said: "We are appealing for parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing with fireworks and certainly not to pick up fireworks that they find in the street."
Figures released by RoSPA reveal that the number of injuries suffered in fireworks accidents in Northern Ireland decreased last year.
In 1998, 101 people were hurt, just half as many as two years previously.
Approximately 36% of the casualties suffered hand injuries, while 23% had eye-wounds

This is Bradford  24 November 1998: Fireworks 'claimed 7 victims'
At least seven people are known to have been injured in firework mishaps, according to newly released figures.
Bradford firefighters told of two injuries between October 1 and November 7.
And Peter Bradley, a consultant in the accident and emergency department at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: "We treated five people with firework injuries on November 5. They were significant injuries. But it was about the same as last year."
The figures released by West Yorkshire Fire Service show a drop in the number of bonfires attended by firefighters - down from 530 to 299.
Station Officer Jack Womersley, of the brigade's Community Fire Safety department, said: "I'm very pleased with the figures. It shows that people are listening and the message is getting through.
"One of the main things we have been doing is going out in the Bradford district, spreading the general fire safety message.
"I think this has had a spin-off as people are being made more aware of the dangers."
Fourteen-year-old Naheem Ali had his hand ripped apart by a firework during a game of dare. Naheem was holding an airbomb in his hand while playing with friends in Back Girlington Road, Girlington, on October 17.
He required complex surgery as surgeons battled successfully for five hours to save his hand.
Earlier in October, shopkeeper Hamid Zafar suffered extensive burns to his hand after a thug lit a firework in his shop in Harrogate Road, Eccleshill.
Mr Womersley said other factors had contributed to the reduction in incidents. They included the increasing popularity of community bonfires and the cost of fireworks, which many felt made them poor value for money.

This is Bradford 9 November 1998: Is it time for a ban on fireworks?
Every year's bonfire and fireworks events bring their crop of accidents, some of them quite horrific. This year there seem to have been even more than usual. A couple of weeks ago, a Bradford youth had his thumb blown off by a high-powered firework. Days later, a youngster elsewhere lost four fingers. Now an 11-year-old Thorpe Edge boy has been lucky to escape with his sight after an aerosol can thrown on to a bonfire by youths exploded in his face.
It is not only the young and foolhardy who are at risk from fireworks and bonfires. A middle-aged man in North Yorkshire, a professional fireworks-display organiser, has died after throwing left-over fireworks into an incinerator, which exploded.
The old saying has it that those who play with fire risk getting burned. Every year we see the truth of that. It surely cannot be allowed to continue, as fireworks become bigger, louder and more dangerous and the toll of casualties grows.
No-one wants to spoil the fun, but the time must have arrived when some sort of regulation must be considered. When fireworks can be used as weapons against the police, and when bonfires have become an excuse for all manner of irresponsible behaviour, maybe the time has come to consider imposing restrictions on them.
Judging by the number of letters we have received in recent weeks, there would almost certainly be popular support for a total ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public and for their use to be restricted to official displays run by properly-trained operators.

This is York 9 November 1998: Incinerator blast kills firework man
Two investigations were today under way after a fireworks display organiser was killed in an explosion as he tried to destroy burnt-out components at his business premises.
Michael Mason, 53, of Hawthorne Avenue, Knaresborough, was burning firework parts in an incinerator when the door blew off and killed him.  Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to Ferrensby Wood Yard, in Farnham Lane, near Knaresborough, where Mr Mason was the proprietor.  Mr Mason's wife, Ethel, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital with superficial injuries and discharged.
A North Yorkshire police spokesman said: "It would appear that Mr Mason was in the process of destroying firework parts by burning in a steel incinerator.  "As he was securing the steel door, an explosion occurred which blew off the door ."
Health and Safety Executive officers were investigating the tragedy today.  Former Mayor of Knaresborough, Coun Eileen Ferguson said: "He was always so careful.  "He did the fireworks for Knaresborough's VE/VJ celebrations and he was very careful. He took disabled children out dinghy sailing."
She said Mr Mason had been booked to organise a Millennium fireworks display near the Castle on December 31 next year.
Vera McHugh, Knaresborough community correspondent for the Evening Press, said Mr Mason had organised displays all over the Harrogate and Knaresborough area and had been set to organise one at the Castle in Knaresborough next month.  "He was a really nice fellow," she said. The last firework display to be organised by Mr Mason in the area took place at the Three Horseshoes pub at Killinghall, near Harrogate on Saturday night. 
Landlord Steve Chapman said the £500 display in a large field at the back of the pub had been a great success.

This is Bradford  6 November 1998: Firemen save Lister's Mill in firework blaze
Firefighters were today investigating the cause of a blaze in Bradford's historic Lister's Mill.
Patrolling officers spotted flames coming out of the roof of the listed building at about 10.30pm last night.
Five fire pumps and a hydraulic platform were called to the scene to tackle the blaze.
Station officer Steve Sidebottom of Bradford central fire station said fire crews got into the building and managed to fight the flames from the inside while a jet on the hydraulic platform was used outside.
"Flying embers were going everywhere in the high wind and there are a number of houses nearby so it was important we brought it under control as quickly as possible," he said.
Fire investigators were due to return to the building today to continue their investigations into the cause.
"There is a large section of the roof missing but for a mill of that size it's not too bad.
"The section is unoccupied and the premises were secure .
"With the amount of fireworks about last night we are looking at the possibility that the incident was caused by a firework but we are carrying out further investigations today."
Two fire appliances from Bradford central were joined by crews from Fairweather Green, Shipley and Odsal to tackle the blaze.

This is Bradford 6 November 1998: 'You young fools'
Asian community leaders today condemned a mob of about 80 youths who clashed with police in a night of bonfire violence.
The rampaging youths were roundly criticised by the city's Asian community leaders and local politicians who appealed for calm.
Trouble flared in two waves last night as police came under attack from youths hurling fireworks and rockets near Toller Lane police station in Manningham. Police said youths had ignored requests from community leaders to disperse.
The second wave of violence erupted at 1am when a mob of about 80 youths started hurling fireworks and rockets.

This is York 31 October 1998: Illegal bangers are seized from shops
HUNDREDS of banned bangers and rockets have been seized from shops across York and North Yorkshire. Trading standards officers found 210 illegal bangers and 278 mini-rockets during random checks on outlets in York. More have been found at shops elsewhere in the county.  Bangers and rockets were banned from sale last Christmas under the 1997 Fireworks (Safety) Regulations.
Officers said last night they have not ruled out the possibility more will be sold, and warned the public not to buy such fireworks.
Stuart Benson, principal trading standards officer, said the fireworks were discovered during routine pre-bonfire night safety inspections. "We were actually visiting shops to make sure they were storing fireworks safely when we just happened upon them. We are finding that the fireworks have been supplied in previous years when they were legal.  "In some cases, retailers have kept fireworks they didn't sell last year in the back of the shop and put them back out on sale this year, knowingly or not."
He said that, so far, nobody had been prosecuted, but the recovered boxes of fireworks would be destroyed.  "Because the legislation is so recent, many people may genuinely not even be aware yet that what they are selling is illegal. "So we will be taking an advisory line as it would be over the top at present to do anything else. But, next year, we won't be so lenient."
Mr Benson added: "Bangers and mini-rockets were traditionally the fireworks thrown in the streets and, as a result, were a major cause of injury. That is why they were banned, not because the fireworks themselves were dangerous. We would certainly like to hear from anyone who has bought them this firework season or if they have any concerns about fireworks they have purchased."
An undisclosed quantity of banned fireworks has also been seized in North Yorkshire. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which deals with firework safety outside York, warned: "All retailers have been informed either through official campaigns or through the media that bangers and mini-rockets must not be sold to the general public. Therefore, to do so is not only dangerous, but illegal."

This is Trafford 22 October 1998: Firework injury sparks warning
THE RUN-UP to Bonfire Night claimed its first victim in the borough, when a firework went off in a teenager's hand.  The firework exploded in a 14-year-old boy's hand on Old Trafford on Tuesday afternoon. He is being treated in the Duchess of York Hospital at Withington for burns to his right hand and fingers.
And fire service chiefs say the incident underlines the potential perils of fireworks - and appeal for people to be aware of the dangers and follow the 'firework code'. A spokesman says: "People should never mess around with fireworks - they are potentially very dangerous. Every year we get fireworks injuries which could be avoided if people followed safety guidelines. "The best way to enjoy Bonfire Night is to go to an organised display. But if you do buy your own fireworks, save them until the night and follow the instructions on each one carefully."

This is Bradford 20 October 1998: Please learn from my mistake
A 14-year-old boy whose hand was ripped apart as he played with a firework today urged other youngsters to learn from his ordeal.
Naheem Ali was playing with friends in Back Girlington Road, Girlington, Bradford, when the air bomb exploded in his hand.
His thumb was left hanging by a thread, muscles on his hand were blown off and joints at the base of the thumb were shattered.
Naheem said he had lit the firework in his hand as part of a dare with some friends.
Ivan Foo, a leading surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, described the injury as one of the worst firework injuries he had ever seen.
Mr Foo performed rare microsurgery to save the boy's thumb. A 10cm length of vein from the teenager's forearm was taken and joined to his wrist artery in an effort to keep his thumb tissue alive.
The operation on Sunday was declared a success and Naheem is expected to remain in hospital for about a week.
Naheem, of White's Terrace, Manningham, said: "The first two explosions went up in the air, but the third just exploded in my hand.
"The force of the blast sent my hand up my coat sleeve and when I pushed it back out my thumb was hanging off.
"I was screaming because of the pain."
Naheem, a pupil at Rhodesway Upper School, said he hoped other people will learn from his mistake.
"I just shouldn't have done it," he said. "I could have lost my hand and I hope the message gets across to other youngsters. Fireworks should be banned."
His mother Nasreen Akhter, 39, said: "He is very lucky. Fireworks are very dangerous and young people should stay away from them."
Firefighters have also re-issued their warning about the dangers of fireworks.
Sub-officer Stuart Smith, of Fairweather Green fire station, said: "His friends said afterwards that all fireworks should be banned - unfortunately they have learned a very hard lesson."

This is Bradford  15 October 1998: Children warned of Super Bangers
Youngsters in Bradford are risking serious injury with fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire night, police warned today.
They say children are putting several small bangers together to make "superfireworks" - and traders are selling to under age customers.
Now officers say they will be targeting shopkeepers who are breaking new laws by stocking some types of fireworks - and selling to children and youngsters under 18.
Police say youths in the Toller Lane area have been making the superbangers while youngsters in Eccleshill have been found carrying fireworks in their pockets.
PC Jonathan Pickles, of the Eccleshill community safety unit, said last week a woman narrowly avoided injury when a firework was thrown at her.
"It was not only the woman and her child who were at risk but also the culprits as the firework could have gone off in his hand," he said.
"We have had a number of incidents over the last few days and we are appealing to parents to keep an eye on this worrying trend."
PC Sandra Land, of the Toller Lane community safety unit, said officers would be targeting the rogue shopkeepers.
"We are interested in a minority who knowingly sell to young people without a thought for the possible consequences," she said.
Officers will visit all licensed firework retailers throughout Shipley and Eccleshill during the run-up to Bonfire Night as part of a drive to combat nuisance, disorder and injuries associated with fireworks.
Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, of Shipley police, who is orchestrating the initiative, said: "The feedback we're getting so far shows that a lot of the retailers and kids aren't aware of the lower age limit so we're urging them to remember it's now 18.
"There is also a trade agreement that fireworks should not be sold until three weeks before November 5 and shopkeepers will be encouraged to abide by this.''

This is Bradford 10 October 1998: Shop owner hurt in firework blast
A Bradford trader was injured last night after a thug put a lit firework in his shop.
And today Hamid Zafar called for a blanket ban on the sale of fireworks to the public.
Mr Zafar suffered extensive burns to his hand when he tried to get the rocket-style firework out of his Shopwise store in Harrogate Road, Eccleshill.
"There was a group of youths outside about five minutes earlier and then the door opened and someone put the rocket on the floor," he said.
"They had broken the stick off it and lit the paper.
"As I went to pick it up and get it out it exploded, burning my hand. I dropped it and tried to stamp it out.
"It exploded with a bang and the whole shop filled with smoke. If there had been customers in here they could have been injured.
"I ran out to see if I could see anybody but they had disappeared. It was a massive explosion and a flash of light -- it was very loud."
Mr Zafar had already decided not to sell fireworks this year after hearing reports of injuries last year.
But today he said: "I think there should be a total ban on the sale of them to the public.
"They should only be available to people organising displays and that should be through special outlets where they need identification.
"I wouldn't sell them again - they are just too dangerous. It's not worth having them because in the wrong hands this is what happens.
"The damage it has done inside is ridiculous. It could have started a fire and the whole place could have gone up."
PC Brian Watson, of Eccleshill police, said the Chinese-made Twinkling Star rocket could have been sold from a garden centre.
"We will be trying to find out where it came from," he said.
"We will also be impressing on shopkeepers the need to be responsible in who they sell to.
"Our concern is that a number of shopkeepers may not be aware of the minimum age limits for buying them.
"People have enough problems of nuisance from groups of youths without the added ingredient of fireworks."
Eccleshill police Inspector David Holdsworth called the attack "reckless and stupid".
He said the laws controlling firework sales were there to help prevent accidents.
He called on members of the public to tell the police, or West Yorkshire Trading Standards, about shops which they believed were flouting those laws.

This is Bradford  10 July 1998: Blind man's firework fight will go to No 10
A blind man's campaign to ban the retail sale of fireworks is heading for Downing Street.
Doug Jones and his wife, Alison, launched a petition to ban the selling of fireworks after his guide dog Ford was traumatised when yobs threw a firework at them.
But the petition, launched in Bradford, has snowballed and they have collected nearly 16,000 names from Land's End to John O' Groats.
Now the couple have been told by officials at Downing Street that they can present the petition to a representative of Tony Blair's Government on August 13.
Mrs Jones said: "A lot of hard work has been put into this and we are looking forward to going to London."
Mr Jones was out walking with Ford in October last year when an airbomb firework was set off nearby.
Ford bolted home and refused to leave the house. He had to go for retraining at the Guide Dog Centre in Middlesborough - leaving Mr Jones housebound for nearly two months. In December last year Ford returned to the couple's home in Canterbury, Bradford, but he still has to travel to Middlesborough for treatment.
Mr Jones, 31, and her 42-year-old husband will be joined on their trip to London by Wendy Rankin, area supervisor for the Guide Dog Centre.
Councillor Jack Womersley, a member of Bradford Council's community safety committee, has also supported the petition.
Mrs Jones said: "Ford has still not fully recovered but he is slowly getting better.
"We might not be able to change the law, but the amount of people who have signed the petition should show ministers that there is strong feeling about this."

This is The Wirral 18 February 1998: Youth fined for firework 'near miss'
A MEMBER of the public complained to the police that a rocket firework had shot across the road at New Ferry and hit the kerb, narrowly missing her, prosecutor Helen Gathercole told Wirral magistrates.  Robert Roberts, aged 19, of Egerton Road, New Ferry, admitted discharging a firework in consequence of which a highway user was injured, interrupted or endangered on November 1.
John Weate, defending, said it was down to "youthful enthusiasm". Roberts was fined £50 plus £30 costs.

This is Bradford  6 February 1998: Frightened couple still living in gang-attack flat
An elderly couple who had every window in their home smashed are still waiting to be re-housed, three weeks after the Telegraph & Argus highlighted their plight.
Andrew and Flo Knowles, who suffered a campaign of terror from a gang of youths, had been living in darkness since the attacks in October - with wooden boards covering every window in their West Bowling flat.
The couple's plight was sparked when Mr Knowles shouted at a group of youths who were congregating beside his flat.
A series of attacks followed - bricks were thrown through their windows, their letterbox was blown off by a firework and a Christmas card was sent which included threats to burn down the flat.

This is Bradford 24 January 1998: Mum tells of family's victimisation by thugs
A single mum claims she is being victimised by a gang of thugs after she had the courage to report a burglar to police.  The trouble started when she let one of the gang stay at her home and he stole cash from her purse. She reported him to the police.
On Bonfire Night a firework was shoved through her letterbox.
Zak - who heard the explosion - locked himself in the bathroom then wouldn't sleep in his own bed for a week due to shock.
"The firework came through the door and landed in front of him," Ms Tillotson said.
"Both the children were screaming. Simone still has nightmares."

This is Trafford  7 November 1997: FIREBUGS attacked two warehouses with display fireworks.
The devices caused major explosions at the premises in Trafford Park.  In both attacks they forced up roller shutters and pushed the fireworks into the industrial units. Police are investigating whether the fireworks used may have been part of an £8,700 haul stolen from a firm in Old Trafford last month. The batch included Golden Orchid fireworks which should only be fired from a mortar tube - the type which killed a headmaster at a display last year.
One of the attacks on Friday night destroyed a van and computer parts at Eagle Lord Computers' premises, on Westbrook Road, Trafford Park. Ten per cent of the building was damaged, windows were blown out - while only the rapid response of the fire service prevented the blaze causing more damage. The firm's sales manager, Steve Furness, says: "We are very grateful to the fire service for limiting the damage." The cost of the damage is still being assessed, he adds.
Half-an-hour earlier, the arsonists exploded a firework at Alsamex Products' warehouse on Guinness Road. The roller shutter door was damaged and there was structural damage to the building. Assistant divisional officer Andy Heywood, at Stretford Fire Station, says: "Fortunately, we were able to limit the damage - it could easily have been a lot worse.
Anyone with information about the attacks should call Stretford CID on 872 5050.
VANDALS used fireworks to damage mail in two post boxes over the weekend.
One of the attacked boxes was on Whitehouse Drive, Hale, and the other at the junction of Broad Road and Priory Road, Sale.

This is Trafford 24 October 1997: Bonfire nightmare puts James off
TEENAGER James Fox did everything by the book when he was letting off fireworks on Bonfire night last year - but he still ended up in Trafford Hospital.  For a faulty Catherine Wheel-style firework exploded in his face completely burning one cheek, singeing off his eyebrows and eyelashes and scorching his hair. The 18 years old had just celebrated his birthday and was working as a barman at the Saracens Head in Warburton when the horrific accident happened. He says: "The pub was organising some fireworks and so the manager asked me to help out. "He talked me through the procedure emphasising all the safety precautions - but no-one could have anticipated what happened to me." James, a pupil at Lymm high school at the time, had just bent down to light the firework when it suddenly shot up into his face and exploded.  "One minute everything was all right and the next, the side of my face was burning," he tells SUM. "It was a rainy night and I was in shock, so at first I couldn't feel anything. "Then suddenly the pain hit me and my face felt as though it was on fire - the hospital said I was lucky not to have lost my eye." Although James' injuries healed within six months, the memories of the terrifying accident still haunt him. He says: "I don't think I'll ever be able to face going to a fireworks display again. "Just the smell of them brings it all flooding back to me. "My advice to anyone who's thinking about what to do this Bonfire night is to go to an organised display - anything else just isn't worth the risk."