October 23 2002, Evening Post, Why Don't we ban the Firework Nuisance?
I have every sympathy with A N R Williams, who wrote a letter about fireworks (Post, October 21). 
I have a two-year-old granddaughter who is petrified of them.  We have fireworks going off most evenings, in fact it is 6.45pm Monday evening and fireworks are going off as I am writing this.  I have to lie down with my granddaughter every night to get her to bed, reassuring her that they won't hurt her.  Tonight was no exception. I tell her they have gone, but some more go off later, waking her up. How can she believe anything I say with this going on all year?  I don't wish to be a party pooper but as fireworks seem to get louder every year I feel that they should be banned to the public and only used for properly-organised displays on November 5.  There are several young children where I live and some four-legged friends. If fireworks were banned there would be a big drop in the number of injuries, some of which can be quite horrendous.  Please, can we do something about this? I am sure that A N R Williams and myself cannot be the only ones who feel strongly about this.  Last Saturday a firework went off every hour from about 8pm, with the last going off at 12.20am.  Why are people so inconsiderate? Do they never think of the problems they cause others? 
C W, North, Clevedon.

October 23 2002, Express and Star, Shops get a firework check-up
A clampdown on illegal sales of fireworks to people under the age of 18 is under way in the run-up to Bonfire Night.  Police, firefighters and trading standards officers will be visiting licensed and unlicensed shops in Dudley to check up on sales and advise on the law.  It is hoped the move will prevent fireworks being misused and causing accidents.
PC Steve Rollason, of the community safety bureau at Brierley Hill police station, said: "We would strongly advise all retailers of fireworks in the borough to refuse and continue to refuse to sell to those who are under age and to be mindful of the possible consequences should they choose to ignore this advice."

October 23 2002, Express and Star, Yobs in banger attack on flat
A pregnant Willenhall woman got a nasty shock when yobs poked a lighted banger through the letterbox of her flat in the latest of a series of firework attacks.  Station Officer Phil Atkin of Walsall fire station said he feared his crews could be looking at their first death in a firework-related house fire by the end of the year.
The number of cases where fireworks have been pushed through letterboxes had already shot up this year, he said. Two houses were damaged in similar incidents in Park Farm Road, Pheasey, on Monday night.
The woman, who was eight months pregnant, was left distressed but unhurt by the attack at Fairview Court, off Churchill Road, at 9pm last night.  The banger also caused little damage because her hallway was bare, so there was nothing to catch fire, but had there been a carpet laid the consequences could have been much more serious, firefighters said.
Crews from Willenhall and Walsall, and the police, turned out to the flats.
Mr Atkin said: "This has happened in the past but only on the odd occasion. But this year it seems to be a growing thing, and we'll have our first fatality this year."
Sub-officer Dave Hingley, of Willenhall fire station, said: "This is inexcusable. The occupier of the flat hadn't got a carpet and fortunately because it was a banger there wasn't a lot of damage."

October 23 2002, icBirmingham - Appeal to families over bonfire parties
Birmingham safety organisation is advising families against holding their own fireworks parties and urging them to attend organised displays instead.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued the warning ahead of the first firefighters strike next Tuesday.  Karen Blanchette, from Edgbaston-based RoSPA, said: "We would urge people to take extra care this year and advise them to go to organised displays. "We hope that people carrying out these events will have carried out a risk assessment.  "People should be aware of the potential dangers that Bonfire Night can bring."

October 23 2002, icCheshire Online - Fireworks legislation
LEIGHTON Hospital has welcomed tough new legislation on fireworks as injuries caused by their misuse continue to increase.  Health officials hope new Government measures regulating the sale of certain fireworks will drive the figures down.  The legislation, due to be implemented in 2003, includes a proposed ban on 'air bombs' - a cheap firework responsible for up to half of all firework accidents - and on-the-spot fines for over-18s caught throwing fireworks in the street.
The crackdown will also focus on the firework black market and a working group has been set up between local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Trade and Industry and Customs and Excise to disseminate intelligence on illegal importers.
A spokesman for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, which runs Leighton, said the hospital had to pick up the pieces in the run-up to Bonfire Night last year after two youngsters were injured when misusing fireworks. He said: 'We welcome anything that is going to cut down on the number of injuries we have to deal with resulting from firework misuse.'

October 23 2002, icCoventry, Concern over firework pranks
A leading Coventry firefighter says lives are being put on the line as the number of firework-related pranks soar in the city ahead of Bonfire Night.  Foleshill station officer Adrian Thomas has spoken out after residents at a house in Windmill Road, Longford, were targeted by yobs who threw a lit firework through a broken window.
Fortunately, for the residents of the converted flats, the fire which took hold of net curtains in a ground floor room, burnt itself out after the firework was thrown at about 8pm on Monday.
Mr Thomas said: "The flat was empty but another occupant heard a bang, but luckily the smoke alarm detected this. He looked and saw smoke in the lobby.  "It could have been a lot worse.  "Throughout the brigade we're getting lots of these incidents at the moment. When we were at this one, I could hear others on the radio. Just in our brigade area there must have been 20 to 30 incidents recently."
The firefighter appealed to shopkeepers in the city to be "aware" of who they were selling fireworks to.

October 23 2002, icHuddersfield,  Hotline to stop street terrors
POLICE today switched on a special telephone hotline - to help Huddersfield shop the yobs. And they hope the 24-hour hotline will help them make a success of The Examiner campaign to Stop The Yobs.
Police hope members of the public will ring the number with details of anti-social behaviour - especially vandalism, graffiti, fireworks incidents and street crime.
But they stressed emergency incidents must be rung through on the 999 system and not the hotline.  The innovation comes 48 hours after the Examiner and Huddersfield police teamed up to help crack down on yobbish behaviour in the town.
Chief Insp David Pighills said: "This is a free phone line, available 24 hours a day, which links directly to police officers.  "Callers will be asked to leave details of their concerns and we will get back to everyone who asks us to do so. "The line will be monitored by police officers and it will be officers who then follow up with the people concerned. "We do not want it to be an anonymous system - we want people to tell us what they know and let us make the follow up inquiries with them".
Police hope that information relayed to them via the hotline can be used to detect large numbers of offences, including criminal damage. And they expect to be very busy in the coming weeks in the run-up to November 5.
* The number is 0500 040999.

October 23 2002, Leeds Today, Firework sales rap for stores
CAMPAIGNERS fighting for restrictions on the use of fireworks today criticised stores for snubbing a police plea not to sell them until 10 days before Bonfire Night.  Police in Harrogate asked shops to stick to the voluntary "no sale" rule until this Saturday.
But campaigner Marjorie Johnson, who has battled tirelessly for moves to clamp down on the misuse of fireworks, said "lots of shops" were already selling them. She said: "They were asked by the police to act on goodwill and they have just ignored them.  "Some are even selling them in two-for-one offers.  "I know it was a voluntary request but it's frustrating that some shops are flouting this request so openly."
Superintendent Les Potter, who made the plea to stores in the Harrogate area in August, said he was disappointed that many had ignored the call. "The community would like to see legislation to really restrict the sale of fireworks," he said. "But until we get that the police have got to look to co-operation."  Supt Potter said two supermarkets in the district had written to him saying they would abide by the unofficial agreement.
Meanwhile police are stepping up their action to curb problems, not just on November 5 but on the weekend leading up to it, including Mischief Night on November 4.  Police leave in the area has been cancelled to ensure maximum police presence.
The YEP is campaigning for a ban on the sale of fireworks until 10 days before Bonfire Night in a bid to cut down on the nuisance caused by fireworks being let off at all hours of the day and night.
Mrs Johnson, who lives in Harrogate, helped present a 143,000-name petition to Westminster MPs earlier this year and is backing our calls for tougher controls.
Leeds MPs have also signed a motion which applauds the YEP's campaign and backs our demands for Government action.

October 23 2002, Manchester online, Stay Safe Campaign
What I want to know is how kids manage to get their hands on fireworks months before November 5? Don't the parents of these kids care what they are up to when they are out at night? Are shops selling fireworks to kids even though they are not supposed to?
J. Manchester

October 23 2002, This is Bradford, Bonfires hit by rocketing insurance
Families across the district could see their bonfire night plans go up in smoke after insurance premiums for staging events soared. Campaigners are warning that many organisers are not putting on their traditional firework parties because they are unable to afford the spiralling cost of insurance cover.  The low number of organised displays being held in Bradford this year has also sparked fears that the injury toll could soar as people hold their own events.  Insurers claim the increasing number of injury claims and the financial impact of September 11 has led to the dramatic rise in premiums.
John Woodhead, chairman of the British Fireworks Association, said if something was not done to resolve the problem the traditional bonfire display would "simply die out".  "It is becoming almost impossible for people who want to stage organised firework events, which is something of a real concern," he said. "I simply cannot see how people can afford to put on these events any more."
The Round Table is staging bonfire events in Batley and Baildon because the organisation is covered by a nationwide policy.  But John Handley, general secretary of the National Association of Round Tables, sympathised with the organisers of one-off events.  "People who used to pay £100 for insurance to stage a bonfire party might now find they will be charged £1,000 or that the insurance company doesn't want to do it at all," he said.
Fireworks campaigner Elizabeth Hellmich, said the demise of supervised events was a real cause for concern.
"If there are no events for people to go to they will end up holding their own where the safety standards might not be up to what we would expect," she said.
Councillor Stanley King (Con, Heaton) has also campaigned about the dangers of misused fireworks. He was not aware of any bonfire parties in his ward but warned people not to go ahead with displays without the necessary insurance.
Insurance company NFU Mutual has released a number of safety guidelines on www.nfumutual.co.uk
Sid Gibson, underwriting manager, said: "Increasing concerns about the amount of potential claims has seen premiums for cover at these events escalate to the point where it is increasingly uneconomic for organisers to continue."

October 23 2002, This is Brighton & Hove, Firework month
Once again, firework night is upon us - not only on November 5 but also weeks before and after as well.
I find this totally unacceptable and feel the Government or local councils should control it.
There are enough open spaces for firework and bonfire displays.
Keep animals indoors and don't leave them in the dark without radios. They are terrified and need company.
J. A. Brighton

October 23 2002, this is Bristol - WHY DON'T WE BAN THIS FIREWORK NUISANCE
I have every sympathy with A N R Williams, who wrote a letter about fireworks (Post, October 21).  I have a two-year-old granddaughter who is petrified of them.  We have fireworks going off most evenings, in fact it is 6.45pm Monday evening and fireworks are going off as I am writing this.  I have to lie down with my granddaughter every night to get her to bed, reassuring her that they won't hurt her.  Tonight was no exception. I tell her they have gone, but some more go off later, waking her up. How can she believe anything I say with this going on all year?  I don't wish to be a party pooper but as fireworks seem to get louder every year I feel that they should be banned to the public and only used for properly-organised displays on November 5.  There are several young children where I live and some four-legged friends. If fireworks were banned there would be a big drop in the number of injuries, some of which can be quite horrendous.
Please, can we do something about this? I am sure that A N R Williams and myself cannot be the only ones who feel strongly about this.
Last Saturday a firework went off every hour from about 8pm, with the last going off at 12.20am.  Why are people so inconsiderate? Do they never think of the problems they cause others?
C. W. Clevedon.

October 23 2002, this is Gloucestershire, JUST AN EXCUSE TO ANNOY FOLK
I for one am in full agreement on the banning of fireworks until the period surrounding November 5. I would even go further to say, I would like the sales kept to organised associations.
I would much rather give children money to enjoy such an occasion, than to have them throwing fireworks around from the beginning October until as late as March.
Like Trick or Treat it's another excuse to annoy the community and frighten animals.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

October 23 2002, This is Trafford, Firefighters rescue toddler and baby
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a toddler and a baby from a smoke-filled block of flats in Stretford. They carried the youngsters down ladders to safety after they had been trapped in the second floor flat with their parents, as thick smoke billowed through the building on Longford Close, Gorse Hill.  The drama happened just nine days before fire crews are due to start the first of a series of strikes in support of a 40 per cent pay rise claim.
And the rescued family say it doesn't bear thinking about what would have happened to them if fire crews had been on strike when the blaze broke out.
A firebug set off a firework in a communal hall at the flats, setting light to a pram at about 2.20pm on Sunday. Thick smoke spread through the stairwell, trapping Caroline Mook, aged 23, her partner Jim Yarwood, also 23, and their two young daughters - Caitlin, aged 20 months, and Abigail, nine weeks.
Caroline stood by an open lounge window holding her baby until the fire brigade arrived. Then a firefighter climbed a ladder to the flat and carried the two children to safety. Caroline remained in the room while firefighters dealt with the fire. One of the crew returned to the top of the ladder and reassured panic-stricken Caroline by chatting to her while the firefighting operation continued.
Caroline said: "We were in the lounge and I smelt burning and at first thought it was the computer overheating, because we have had problems with it.  "Jim opened the living room door and the hall was full of thick smoke. Caitlin was in the bedroom napping and fortunately the bedroom door was shut. Jim went to get her and put her near the window. I stood near the window with Abigail and waited for the fire brigade.  "I was petrified - I was so worried for the kids. "When the fire brigade arrived a firefighter came up the ladder and asked if the children were ok. He took them out of the window and carried them down. The paramedics examined them. They had inhaled a little bit of smoke but not enough to do any damage." She added: "We could not have made it down the stairs, because the smoke was so thick. I did not realise a small buggy could cause so much smoke.  "God knows what would have happened to us if this had happened next week when the fire brigade is on strike. I know the military has training to deal with fires but they are not dealing with them day in and day out."
A clean up operation was being carried out at the flats on Tuesday.

October 23 2002, This is Worcestershire, Fireworks clampdown
FIREWORK hooligans in Bromsgrove are being warned of the stiff penalties they face in a tough new crackdown.
The police are warning that they will not tolerate the misuse of fireworks in the run-up to bonfire night.
Acting chief inspector Angela Burnet said: "There have already been a number of reports of people throwing fireworks in the street and it really is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.
"Last year we were fairly lenient, however, this year we shall be taking a tougher stance on offenders and making sure that anyone who is seen lighting or throwing fireworks in the street is arrested and dealt with firmly."
Bromsgrove police have enlisted the help of town shops who are issuing leaflets where fireworks are sold. Officers will also be handing out leaflets to anyone seen with fireworks in the run up to bonfire night.
"The arrests can be made under the explosives act and if someone lights or throws a firework which injures someone then we will be in the position to arrests them for wounding with intent," Ch Insp Burnet said.
"This is an offence that carries the maximum of a life sentence," she added.  The officer went on to say that although fireworks can be fun in the right hands and in the right environment, they can be lethal in the wrong hands.  "Very often youngsters do not see the dangers they are putting themselves and others in, so we hope that by using our legislative powers it will prevent people from being hurt."
Meanwhile, a fixed penalty fine will face hooligans in the Rubery area as the Government pilots a crackdown in the Birmingham area.
West Midlands Police will have extra powers to tackle anyone over 18 caught throwing fireworks in the street.
Birmingham is one of 12 areas nationwide to be picked for a high profile safety publicity campaign in a bid to cut injuries, particularly among young people.

October 23 2002, This is Worcestershire, Plea is made on fireworks
POOLBROOK Primary School in Malvern has escaped with minor damage after pranksters put a lit firework through a letterbox.  Police and the fire brigade were called to the school last Wednesday night (October 16) at around 10.30pm after someone let off a rocket into the foyer.  Two appliances and 11 firefighters attended the scene, discovering smoke but no fire. 
Only minimal damage was caused, but it could have been much worse according to leading firefighter Keith Massam from Malvern Fire Station.  "They were incredibly lucky really," he said. "The burglar alarm went off, which let people know something was going on."
Head Gill Samuels said the letterbox had been boarded up and the school was now paying for mail to be delivered at a different time.  "It's very inconvenient," she said.  "We've not had trouble with fireworks before, but we quite often have vandalism damage around the school."  She admitted she did not know what could be done to prevent further vandalism.  "We alert the police but it's very difficult to keep on top of."
Local beat manager PC Paul Lambon said that he would be working with the school to try and solve the latest case, but also liaising with shopkeepers to inform them on the rules and regulations surrounding fireworks.  "It's a perennial problem," he said.
Andy Dugard, community fire safety officer at Malvern Fire Station said that parental control was the key to stopping similar incidents from happening in the future.
He urged people not to let their children buy fireworks and advised then to attend organised displays.

East Anglian Daily Times, 22 October 2002, Extra police on duty for Hallowe'en
MORE police officers will be on duty in the region in the run up to Hallowe'en after youngsters caused mayhem last year, tying officers up on hundreds of calls from worried residents.
Police are urging shop-keepers to be careful who they sell eggs to in the run up to Hallowe'en night.
Suffolk Constabulary are issuing posters warning that shops are not selling eggs to under 16s and more officers are also being put on the beat and out in police cars in an effort to stop anti-social problems in the county.
The force estimated that they were called to up to 300 times from worried residents after youngsters playing the traditional Hallowe'en trick or treat game went too far.
Several people were injured and a number of windows were smashed by youths throwing eggs at residents who would not hand over treats. Incidents were reported across Suffolk and police said the majority of officers on duty had been involved in dealing with the Hallowe'en antics.
A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: "We want to encourage shopkeepers not to sell them to youths after a number of complaints to the control room last year as groups of young people threw eggs at cars and houses.
"There was criminal damage and people arrested as a result. What may be a joke for young people may not be a joke for those affected whose property is damaged and we treat this seriously.
"We are not trying to be killjoys, Hallowe'en should be enjoyable. But those who do not wish to take part should not suffer by inconsiderate behaviour. There are people who dread Hallowe'en.''
An Essex Police spokesman said they are giving talks to youngsters in schools, warning farmers and traders to be sensible about who they sell large amounts of eggs to with many broken ones being sold off in bulk at this time of year, and will have more officers on duty on firework and Hallowe'en nights.
He said: "We do not want to spoil people's fun or be too pious, but if people feel they are being targeted by nuisances, it has gone beyond being fun.''
Leading trader Richard Wallis, chairman of the Stowmarket and district chamber of commerce, welcomed any action that can reduce problems for people on Hallowe'en night.
He said: "There was a spate of problems last year and the police have got to pre-empt that. This is a really good idea.''
In Needham Market, Alldays store is not selling eggs to youths on October 30 and 31, with the store keen to help out.

October 22 2002, Evening Chronicle, Vent Your Spleen
I would like to thank Mrs Young of Wallsend ringing in about fireworks.  So far we've had a month of these things going off.  All the weekend we were kept awake by every firework going off all night long.
Lighting our bedrooms up.  These are not adults letting fireworks off, it's children.
Why can't these fireworks only be sold on November 1 and then banned on November 6

October 22 2002, Evening Post, Fireworks should be banned
I read the article: "Ban on peril fireworks", containing a comment from Consumer Minister, Melanie Johnson, about "enjoying the firework season" and would like to make a few points.  In this area hardly one month, nay, hardly one week, passes without fireworks exploding somewhere in the vicinity, and this can occur at any time between 4pm and 5.30am.  As for over-18s being fined £40 for throwing fireworks in the street, this is ludicrous, as well as unnecessary.  Under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875, anyone guilty of throwing or setting off fireworks in any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place is liable to a fine of up to £5,000 but it is a law seldom, if ever, enforced. There is also a code of practice, to which the firework industry agreed, that fireworks should only be sold three weeks before November 5 and for a few days after, the same agreement applying to the New Year period.  Yet I know of one establishment alone that is open for the sale of fireworks all year round.  The only way to prevent such stupidity and thoughtlessness is for the Government to impose a full ban on the sale of these wretched things to the general public and allow organised displays only.  Or is Mr Blah only interested in his ratings in the popularity polls? 
P H, Kingswood, Bristol.

October 22 2002, Express and Star, Fireworks terror as homes are targeted
Yobs shoved fireworks through the letterboxes of two homes, setting fire to carpets, curtains and furniture.
Police today condemned the rocket attacks, which happened within minutes of each other in Park Farm Road, Pheasey, Walsall, last night. Officers said that the incidents could have led to murder inquiries.
At one house, where two children had just gone to bed, the firework flew through the hall and into the lounge, finally embedding itself in an armchair.
Sgt Gary Iliff, of Walsall police, said that if someone had been struck by the rocket or if it had started a major fire then officers could have been investigating murders.  It was a matter of luck that no-one was injured or killed in either attack which happened within five minutes of each other at around 8.45pm.   Sgt Iliff added: "Both incidents were potentially fatal.   "For a 50p firework it could have been murder.
Fire station officer Colin Baker said both incidents were "totally unbelievable".  He said at the first house there were reports that a 24-year-old woman was trapped by fire in the hallway.
At the second, a mother had just taken her two children, aged six and eight, upstairs to bed.  It was likely that one or both could have been seriously injured if they had still been in the living room watching TV, said Mr Baker.
"These mindless morons had lit a rocket and then pushed through the letterboxes," he said.  "At the first house it went flying around the hallway and set fire to a curtain and carpet. The householder was asleep upstairs and was alerted by the smoke alarm.  "Fortunately it was only a small fire confined to the hall which we dealt with.
"While we were there, five minutes later, we got a call to another house up the road where the same thing had happened.  "This time the rocket flew through the hallway and into a living room where it got lodged in an armchair, which caught fire.  "The mother was in the bath at time and was alerted by her dog who came running up the stairs in a panic," Mr Baker said.

Greenock Telegraph, 22 October 2002, Animal lovers in fireworks protest
PROTESTERS armed with placards campaigned for a ban on the sale of fireworks in Inverclyde.   Animal charity worker Allison Black, who helps find homes for unwanted pets, led the protest at Gourock Pierhead.   She was joined by a small group of like-minded animal lovers, who were urging people to sign a petition demanding that the government tightens up firework regulations on safety grounds.   The protest was part of a national campaign by COFFAW (Control of Fireworks For Animal Welfare) which has been signed by more than 200,000 people.   They also asked motorists to 'honk' their support as they drove down Kempock Street.   Allison, a mum-of-three, is angry that more people and animals were injured last year in firework incidents than the previous year.   A survey carried out for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that as many as 80,000 animals in Scotland have been badly affected by fireworks.   She said: "I want to have fireworks banned in Inverclyde apart from authorised displays once a year. Retailers are trying to sell them 12 months a year.   "These potentially lethal weapons are being let off at all times day and night, which is downright inconsiderate and there is no regard to public safety. How many more incidents, accidents and deaths are going to be caused this year? I can only ask is it worth it?"   Trish Smail (46), of Kempock Street, said: "I've been told that if someone goes into a firework shop with a mobile phone it can spark fireworks off. These shops should be shut down. There are too many children, pensioners and animals getting hurt."   Jennifer Ferrier (52), of Moorfield Avenue, Port Glasgow, said: "My dog is absolutely terrified. When fireworks go off I have to put him in a cage and cover it with a blanket."   Allison intends to send the petition she has collected to parliament.

October 22 2002, icBirmingham, Teen gang in firework attacks
A teenage gang set two houses alight by shooting firework rockets through the front door letter boxes. The attacks, which happened around 7.45pm yesterday in Park Farm Road, Great Barr, could have resulted in serious injury or even death, according to firemen.
A smoke detector woke a 24-year-old student asleep in one of the houses in time for her to get out through the burning hallway and phone 999.
In the second attack, a few minutes later, a 32-year-old mother had to jump out of the bath, grab her two children aged eight and six and flee the property.
Station Officer Colin Baker, based at Perry Barr, said: "This was stupidity beyond belief. The one rocket set curtains and carpet alight and the second shot along the hallway of the other house, through an open door and into the lounge were it set an armchair on fire.  "This really was a ludicrous thing to do. Not only is it obvious the rockets are going to set something alight but they are also projectiles and would have caused nasty injuries if they had hit someone in the face."

October 22 2002, icHuddersfield - Firework sold to girl, 14
SHOPKEEPERS across Kirklees are selling fireworks illegally, it was revealed today.  Hours after an Examiner campaign to Stop The Yobs was launched - targeting firework hooligans in particular - a survey exposed the scale of the problem.
Consumer watchdogs found a third of all shops tested in Kirklees were willing to sell fireworks to underage teenagers.  Five Kirklees shops sold varying selections of fireworks to a 14-year-old girl during spot checks by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service at the weekend.
Across West Yorkshire, 115 visits were made to shops selling fireworks.  Most abided by the rules but five retailers tested in Kirklees were prepared to sell to children under the age of eighteen.
The shops tested were in areas recommended by police and firefighters where there had been incidents of anti-social behaviour.  And the scale of the problem was highlighted last night.  A powerful firework blew the front off a postbox. Vandals put the lit firework into the post box on Dewsbury Road near the junction with Caldercroft in Elland at 8.45pm.

October 22 2002, Manchester Online, Firework yobs put jets in peril
THE safety of passengers is being jeopardised by maniacs launching fireworks at planes landing at Manchester Airport.  Air traffic controllers complained of rockets being fired as jets were on their final approach to Manchester over the weekend.  It is suspected young hooligans are to blame, although householders unaware of the potential danger may also be behind the fireworks.  Despite a search around Ringway Road, police could not find the culprits
"It's an exceptionally dangerous and stupid thing to do. This is an offence we take very seriously and we will follow through our inquiries to the end," said Supt Paul McIver of the airport police.
Anyone found guilty of endangering an aircraft faces a maximum two-year jail sentence, he added.
One pilot said: "I've flown on November 5 many times and on a clear night it's a lovely sight with all the bonfires and the fireworks going off.  "But rockets are getting bigger and ever more powerful and to set one off just as an aircraft is about to land is dangerous. If it is sucked into the engine it can do serious damage to the turbine blades and it can shut down.  "If you are just a few hundred feet off the ground it can be a problem. I'm not saying it would crash. A pilot should be able to control an airplane which loses an engine. But theoretically it could crash.
"The other possibility is a big flash from a firework could impair the pilot's vision just for a few moments at the critical point when he's coming in to land."
Richard Wright, spokesman at the National Air Traffic Services, confirmed fireworks had been spotted coming from an "unauthorised display in the vicinity of the airport."
Anyone seeking to organise a fireworks display within a flightpath must first seek permission from the aviation authorities, he said.
Thieves have stolen £21,500 of fireworks in three supermarket break-ins across Greater Manchester.
All the raids took place at the weekend, two in Stockport and one in Leigh. Police have warned shopkeepers with fireworks to increase security

October 22, 2002, Manchester Online, Jim Dobbin MP explains his fireworks Bill
THE M.E.N campaign to ban fireworks is receiving widespread support from our readers. With November 5 approaching, Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin explains why he backs a ban.
FIVE years ago, I was elected to Parliament as the Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton. Among the many issues raised by my constituents, one of the key ones was the idea of a ban on fireworks.
Initially, my postbag would bulge with letters about this issue in October and November as Guy Fawkes Night, November 5, approached. Now, however, the complaints arrive all year round.
Whether it is elderly people scared by the noise, or the countless numbers of children and pets who are injured each year by the misuse of fireworks, many of us have experienced the downside of Bonfire Night celebrations.
British Safety regulations do not cover the disturbance and fright caused by fireworks, nor is the current system easy to police. It is for this reason that I support the introduction of a law to ban them from public sale and public use.
There will be those who will object to such a prohibition, perhaps because their profit or employment depends on the sale or manufacture of fireworks, yet the legal requirement for pyrotechnic professionals will create a new niche in the market.
Furthermore, an economic calculation must be balanced against the paramount principles of public welfare and safety - and the cost borne by the taxpayer in picking up the tab for the damage caused by fireworks.
There will also be those who contest the idea of a ban in the name of liberty, claiming that the public should be free to continue to purchase what they want. Yet fireworks are essentially explosives, and in attempting to defend liberty these people are failing to extend it to those who wish to be free from excessive noise pollution, fear, criminal damage and injury.
Black market
A further form of opposition will come from those who claim that banning the retail sale of fireworks to the public will result in the creation of a black market. There is little evidence to support this idea.
And those who cite other examples of prohibition - such as alcohol - must concede that lighting noisy, colourful explosives is going to be much harder to conceal than consuming alcohol in one's own home. In January this year, the Labour MP for Brent North, Barry Gardiner, proposed a bill to ban fireworks. Despite widespread support for the idea, the Bill was recently dropped. Yet the points raised by Gardiner should be considered.
In his initial speech, he pointed out that the current law, which refers to the Explosives Act of 1875, allows a private individual to take delivery of 20 tons of fireworks - indeed, of any quantity, unlimited - and to store them for up to 14 days, with no obligation to notify a competent authority and with no official record being required.
Nor is the firework company under any obligation to ensure that the person taking delivery is competent to handle such an enormous amount of explosives.
There is no licence and no registration; there is only a rather loose insistence that the fireworks be kept in a safe and suitable place.
Surely this state of affairs should not be allowed to continue. As Gardiner said: "Firework technology has moved on in 137 years since the Act received Royal Assent. The Explosives Act is almost certainly obsolete and means that we are subject to inadequate and archaic legislation that leaves the public at substantial risk."
Those who doubt this should only look at the numbers of injuries caused by fireworks last year - 1,362, a 40 per cent increase on the previous year. Last year, also saw a 60 per cent increase in people being injured by fireworks in the street.
Unacceptable
These statistics are, I believe, unacceptable. It is time for all decent, sensible members of the public who wish to protect their children, their elderly relatives and their pets from the fear and disturbance caused by noise pollution, criminal damage and personal injury to stand up and be counted.
Nothing less than a total retail ban on the sale of fireworks to individuals should be imposed. For this to happen we must offer more support to the police and trading standards officials in order to get the message across to both traders and public that we will back our words with actions.
We must also work with schools and youth clubs to educate youngsters on the dangers of the misuse of fireworks and the consequences to themselves and others.
It is easy for children to ignore the dangers of fireworks and easy too for them to breach the law which states no under 18s can purchase fireworks.
Of last year's injuries, half of them occurred in gardens and the other half in the street or other public places. Three hundred and seventy-two of the recorded injuries were to victims' eyes.
I believe that there is an overwhelming support for a fireworks ban and would stress that this does not mean that Bonfire Night can no longer be celebrated.
A retail ban would still allow organised festivities to include fireworks as part of their celebrations provided they were licensed and it is this route I believe we should go down. That way we can also still enjoy the noise, colour and excitement of fireworks displays without the danger, accidents and fear which they currently bring.

October 22 2002, The Hunts Post, Firework distress
A LITTLE girl is having problems at school and two dogs are on tranquillisers thanks to selfish youngsters who have been letting off fireworks in the centre of Soham for the past fortnight.
The Standard has received several calls from local people who are at their wits' end with constant bangs from early evening through to almost midnight, a situation which has been going on since long before bonfire night.
Some were too afraid to have their name in the paper for fear of reprisals from the teenagers, they say, will continue to cause havoc in the town centre at night unless there is an increased police presence in Soham.
Samantha Drake, 25, lives in a flat in Churchgate Street. Her four-year-old daughter Kelly has just started school full-time and is being woken every night by fireworks being let off in the church yard and on the recreation ground.
Samantha, who is married to Terry, 29, said: "I just don't know what to do anymore. Kelly is so desperately tired because she goes to bed as normal at 6.45pm but is awake again at 8pm with the bangs. She's so afraid. She walks into the living room in tears because she thinks there is someone banging at the window.
"Now she's getting into trouble at school for misbehaving because when she gets tired, she gets naughty. We wanted to take her to the fireworks display in Ely on Saturday but she said she didn't want to go. This last few weeks has put her off.
"I don't have a problem with people enjoying fireworks on bonfire night or the weekend before, but this has gone on too long. Someone in the town is selling them to these young people and not thinking about the consequences."
Another local resident who wished to remain anonymous has had to get tranquillisers from a vet for his dogs who he says are persistently terrified. He told the Standard: "The dogs are petrified and I know of several other dog owners round here whose animals are the same. Now I have to drug them in the evenings to keep them calm."
Witnesses, some of whom have contacted the police over the issue, report teenagers have been throwing lit fireworks, letting rockets off horizontally on the Recreation Ground as well as putting lit rockets on the roundabout in the children's play area and then spinning the roundabout so they blast in all directions.
A local resident said: "Someone is going to get seriously injured because what they are doing is so dangerous. And there's no deterrent. Because the police visit Soham so infrequently the teenagers know they are going to get away with it and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of some of the young people's lack of respect for people, their property and their life.
"Hopefully, by the end of this week, it will all be over."

October 22 2002, This is Bradford, City shops praised after firework blitz
Shopkeepers across Bradford were praised today after an undercover fireworks blitz across the region.
A 14-year-old boy - four years under the legal limit for buying fireworks - went into 25 stores across the city but was served in none of them. Some shopkeepers asked his age, others turned him away on sight, and one even told him: "Are you stupid?" He was nearly sold fireworks in one shop but an assistant intervened and stopped a prospective after asking his age.
Pat Hartnett, enforcement officer for West Yorkshire Trading Standards which organised the operation, said: "The shopkeepers seem to be aware of their legal obligations. This is a very good result for Bradford."
This year's survey follows a 55 per cent increase in injuries caused by fireworks among the 11 to 17-year-old age group.
Five Trading Standards teams went out across West Yorkshire on Saturday. They visited 115 shops and got sales in seven of them - one in Wakefield, one in Leeds and five in Kirklees.  The Bradford shops visited were in areas where the police and fire officers had said there was a problem with fireworks being let off in the streets and had requested a visit by Trading Standards.  Shops were targeted in Girlington, Toller Lane, Lilycroft Lane, Fairweather Green, Thornton Road, Great Horton Road, Bradford Central and Manningham. The visits will be repeated until November 5 and from now on instant prosecutions will follow.
Ms Hartnett added: "The majority of shopkeepers, it seems, are responsible and do tow the line. But there are obviously some, in the past, which have not.  "This time was a test run but from now on we will be prosecuting anyone who sells. Just because we did not get sales in Bradford this time does not mean we won't still be checking."  She said there were reports of fireworks being sold from illegal outlets such as burger vans, car boot sales and even an ice cream van.
Last year three shopkeepers in West Yorkshire were prosecuted for illegal firework sales. One was fined £1,000.
Maz Ali, 23, of Pound Paradise in Bank Street, said shopkeepers have to be wary at this time of year. "There are lots of kids trying it on," he said. "You just have to ask them and send them packing if you have any doubts at all.
"As a shopkeeper you don't want it on your conscience if a child is injured from a firework bought from your shop."
A spokesman for the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, said: "We are delighted with the results from Bradford. Basically we tell our members that, as with cigarettes, if in doubt about their age then don't serve them. Be vigilant."

October 22 2002, This is Bristol - FIREWORKS SHOULD BE BANNED
I read the article: "Ban on peril fireworks", containing a comment from Consumer Minister, Melanie Johnson, about "enjoying the firework season" and would like to make a few points. 
In this area hardly one month, nay, hardly one week, passes without fireworks exploding somewhere in the vicinity, and this can occur at any time between 4pm and 5.30am. As for over-18s being fined £40 for throwing fireworks in the street, this is ludicrous, as well as unnecessary.
Under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875, anyone guilty of throwing or setting off fireworks in any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place is liable to a fine of up to £5,000 but it is a law seldom, if ever, enforced. There is also a code of practice, to which the firework industry agreed, that fireworks should only be sold three weeks before November 5 and for a few days after, the same agreement applying to the New Year period.
Yet I know of one establishment alone that is open for the sale of fireworks all year round.
The only way to prevent such stupidity and thoughtlessness is for the Government to impose a full ban on the sale of these wretched things to the general public and allow organised displays only.
Or is Mr Blah only interested in his ratings in the popularity polls?
P. H. Kingswood, Bristol.

October 22 2002, This is Devon, Safety Chief Calls For Ban On Fireworks
A Devon safety chief is calling for a ban on bangers in the lead up to November 5.  County Councillor Stuart Hughes, who holds the portfolio for community safety, said misuse of firecrackers caused a nuisance, scaring pets and the elderly. And Cllr Hughes said new government measures to control the misuse of fireworks do not go far enough.
Cllr Hughes criticised a new government initiative which asks shopkeepers to sign up to a voluntary ban on air bombs. He said any ban should be written into law.  "At this time of year there are always cases of elderly people being scared by youngsters with fireworks," he said. "Despite age limits on who can buy fireworks they always seem to fall into the wrong hands. "I have no problem with these fireworks being used in organised displays but I think it is time we cracked down on them being used in the street.  "They seem to be available almost all year round and their misuse can cause a lot of distress as well as being dangerous."
Department of Trade and Industry measures to control the misuse of fireworks with voluntary bans were dubbed "misguided" by Cllr Hughes.

October 22 2002, This is Nottingham, End this annual danger
For about two or three weeks before Bonfire Night people are setting fireworks off.  I think the only time fireworks should be set off should be on the night of November 5 - and no other time.  You hear of children with eyes and fingers or other parts of their body being damaged. It is about time the Government stepped in and put a stop to this nuisance once and for all instead of sitting on their hands and doing nothing about it.
It is a serious subject which I think should be dealt with by the authorities in power.
R. N. Beeston

October 22 2002, this is Scunthorpe - FIREWORK 'BOMB' WRECKS POSTBOX
A postbox was blown to pieces by young hooligans in a quiet residential area.  A large firework was dropped into it and when the device went off the cast iron box flew off the wooden pole it was attached to.
The incident in Brigg has led police to warn of the dangers of fireworks as officers believe there could have been serious consequences if someone had been passing the box at the time.  Officers in Brigg received a call to Poplar Drive in the town at about 7.50pm on Saturday after a loud bang was heard.
A resident from Poplar Drive who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There was an almighty bang - I could not believe how loud it was.  "I shot straight outside wondering what was going on, particularly because of the elderly people in that area." 
Investigation of the area by scenes of crime officers revealed a firework had been placed into the post box, causing a large explosion. Part of the firework was recovered from the scene and it is believed the particular firework used was one intended for public displays - and therefore would be highly explosive.  The cast iron door of the box was destroyed by the force of the explosion.  A group of youths was seen to run from the area at the time of the explosion but there are no descriptions of any of the suspects.
Fortunately nobody was injured, however police are urging people to be sensible with fireworks.  PC Graham Boyd of Brigg Local Policing Team, said: "Nobody was hurt in this incident but if anyone had been passing the postbox at the time it could have been far more serious. "At this time of year people, often youths, do use fireworks inappropriately. "Not only is it an offence to let fireworks off, or throw them, in a public place, but it can also be very frightening for many people, especially the old and vulnerable, to hear countless explosions in the weeks leading up to November 5.  "Display fireworks can be very big and people should be at least 25 metres away from them."
A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: "These vandals are causing criminal damage to our property, destroying mail and seriously inconveniencing all our customers.  "This wanton act of vandalism has resulted in a box being taken out of commission, such was the damage that was caused.  "This will have an impact on services for our customers in the area, and we would like to apologise to them for any inconvenience this may cause.  "We would advise customers in the area to post their mail at the local post office branch or to use other nearby post boxes. We would urge the public to be vigilant in the run-up to Bonfire Night and to report anything suspicious to the police."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Brigg and also asking for any other information regarding illegal use of fireworks.  Anyone who can help the police is asked to contact them on (01724) 274200.

October 22 2002, This is York, Police warn fiends of fire danger
A FIREWORK throwing incident which injured a woman has led police to warn York's "firework fiends" their actions could lead to serious injuries, or their arrest. A gang of BMX riding youths in Heslington Road, York, are said to have thrown the lit firework in the direction of the woman. Police do not believe they planned to throw the firework at her, but it bounced up and hit her legs, causing slight bruising.  The youths then rode off.
Sergeant Colin Ventress said: "Thankfully the lady was not seriously injured, but the consequences could have been much more serious. "There have been a lot of complaints in York recently about fireworks going off. We want to remind people there are specific offences related to the misuse of fireworks in the street.  "The amount that have been going off recently have been disturbing elderly people and animals and generally causing a nuisance.  "The kids setting these fireworks off are somebody's children so we would ask people to be aware what their children are up to."  Sgt Ventress added: "Shopkeepers are reminded it is illegal to sell fireworks to children. That is something we are looking at very closely."
City of York Council trading standards manager Liz Levitt said the sale of fireworks was governed by fireworks safety regulations and the explosives act.  She said selling fireworks to children under 18 was a criminal offence that could lead to shopkeepers being prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.  Ms Levitt said: "The only items that can be sold to people under 18 are sparklers and caps. From time to time we do test purchases when underage people attempt to buy fireworks.  "The last time we carried out test purchases we had no sales at all. We hope it stays that way."
Last Tuesday the Evening Press reported how police in Selby had threatened to apply for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO) against children persistently throwing fireworks. Officers hoped the ASBOs would stamp on the problem by putting the children on curfew.

October 21 2002, Burton Mail - Plea to change firework laws
BURTON MP Janet Dean has written to the Prime Minister calling for a change in firework laws.  Mrs Dean wrote to Tony Blair amid fears of firework chaos in and around her constituency as Bonfire Night approaches.
In the letter, she pledges her support to a nationwide petition to introduce controls on the sale and use of fireworks, which was presented to Downing Street last week.
Mrs Dean wrote that she had received letters from elderly people who felt harassed by youngsters letting off fireworks in the street. One woman said she felt she was back in the days of the Second World War. East Staffordshire Borough Council wrote to the Government earlier this year calling for the power to grant firework licences following a motion put forward by Liberal Democrat leader Sue Marbrow.
Councillor Marbrow teamed up with fellow Uxbridge councillor Ali Chaudhry after fireworks chaos hit the streets of their ward last year, leading to several arrests. More than 100 residents attended an emergency meeting leading up to Bonfire Night amid claims that fireworks had been thrown at people in the streets and shoved through letter boxes.
The national petition wants to see the age at which people can buy fireworks raised to 21, Trading Standards given new powers to stop traders from selling them to underage children and the introduction of a licensing system for organised displays. It is also proposed that the days and times fireworks are sold and set off should be restricted.
Mrs Dean says in her letter to Tony Blair: "There are many areas of my constituency where there is a problem with the misuse of fireworks, and there is consequently a growing demand for further sales restriction.
"I am very concerned that growing numbers of my constituents feel that there is little to be done about their predicament, despite the legislation that is in place."

October 21 2002, Express and Star,  Dozens arrested as hooligans run riot
Riot police had to dodge missiles as football fans tried to invade the pitch during Wolves' clash with Stoke City.
More than 100 officers in riot gear were inside Stoke's Britannia Stadium for the derby.  But problems began before the match had kicked off on Saturday evening with police seizing fireworks and knives in searches of Wolves fans' coaches.  There were 26 arrests in and around the ground.

October 21 2002, icHuddersfield - Huge cost of firework damage
ELLEN Furey knows to her cost how damaging firework thugs can be. She was almost blinded when a firework was hurled towards her. It went off in her face and left her with serious eye injuries.  Thankfully, a year later, she has recovered - but only after extensive surgery and treatment at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
The yob who threw the firework was given a conditional discharge by Huddersfield magistrates and ordered to pay compensation.
Miss Furey, of Crosland Moor, who has three young daughters, said: "It was agony.  "I clutched my eye. All this wetness was streaming down my face. I thought it was tears but it was blood.  "I thought I had been shot in the eye. I hung on to a fence and got home to call an ambulance. My kids saw me and they were screaming.  "I have to wear glasses and I was too scared to go out at night after the incident, because I couldn't see properly".
The incident showed how potentially deadly firework pranks can be - and is sadly not an isolated case.

Vandals struck in Huddersfield on Saturday night - pushing a firework through the letterbox of a young family's house in Crosland Moor and setting it alight.  A mother and her three children heard the firework explode and fled from the house before calling the fire brigade. Smoke from the firework activated two smoke alarms at the house in Gilbert Grove at 7pm.

Leicester Mercury, 21 October 2002  POST BOX FIREWORK ATTACK SPARKS DANGER WARNING
Police are to visit stores selling powerful fireworks after reports they are being used in vandal attacks.
In one case, a powerful firework thrown into a mailbox on Leicester's Saffron estate exploded with such force it cracked the box's cast iron casing.  Police also suspect that a fire which destroyed two bungalows in the Fairway, off Saffron Lane, last week was sparked by a firework.
Inspector Ian Coulton, of Welford Road station, said forensics officers were examining the remains of a Bazooka Air Bomb firework which destroyed the mail box in Pendlebury Drive, near Saffron Lane.  He said: "These boxes are made of cast iron and this thing cracked it - it must have been a powerful firework.  "We've also had a lot of complaints from people near Aylestone Park this week.  "My officers are patrolling the area and visiting shops to find out who is selling these things to youths.  "My big worry is that someone is going to get injured and that we're going to get more criminal damage like this."
The Leicester Mercury has teamed up with Leicester City Council to run Bang, a campaign which aims to reduce firework nuisance in the run-up to Bonfire Night and Diwali.
Today, the Royal Mail said the incident in Pendlebury Drive was the latest in a string of attacks on mail boxes using fireworks.  In some incidents across the country, air bombs and rockets have blown letter box doors off.
Spokesman Floyd Jebson said: "Putting fireworks in letter boxes is extremely dangerous. We had a case last year in which a box exploded and the blast threw shrapnel across the road.  "If someone had been walking past at the time, they might easily have been killed.  "The fireworks themselves seem to be getting stronger every year. We've even had doors blown off sturdier letter boxes. It's also bad news for our customers.  "A lot of mail is destroyed in this way and we wholeheartedly back what the Mercury and Leicester City Council are doing."
Pendlebury Drive resident Ruth Walker, 68, said: "There have been a lot of fireworks set off over the past couple of weeks. It's been a real nuisance.  "Youngsters are buying them and setting them off. They ought to be stopped."
Another resident, a 68-year-old woman who asked not to be named, said: "The whole front of the letter box was blown off.  "I didn't dare go out to see what had caused it."
Roman Leszczyszyn, head of consumer protection at Leicester City Council, said: "Fireworks are not getting more powerful, they're getting louder. When they are put into a confined space, like a letter box, their explosive effect is amplified."

October 21 2002, This is Devon,  Save Fireworks For The Day
May I beg your readers to save their fireworks for the weekends nearest November 5 (which falls on a Tuesday this year) and for the day itself.  I am not a killjoy or spoilsport - I love fireworks and bonfires. Guy Fawkes Night is always special in my family, as it is my mother's birthday.
However, I am now the owner of a wonderful rescue dog who is reduced to an inconsolable, quivering jelly when fireworks go off. I hate doing it, but I accept that for Guy Fawkes Night, I will have to tranquillise her until the bangs are all over.  In fact, on Guy Fawkes Night I can make sure she is ready for the fireworks in good time.
It is just that some people seem already to be exploding fireworks and we are only at the beginning of October. I am faced with the prospect of "knocking her out" every evening until mid-November.
I appreciate that retailers want to make the most of marketing opportunities, but would appreciate the introduction of a voluntary code to restrict the sale of fireworks to a few days before the event.
Enjoy fireworks, but please, for my lovely dog's sake, save them for Firework Night.
C. W. Launceston

October 19 2002, Daily Mirror, BANGER OUT OF ORDER
Preparations are currently under way for the annual light display known as Guy Fawkes, but this year's celebrations seem likely to be the smallest ever. That's because the Government (which does precious little about regulating fairgrounds) has sensibly been cracking down on the dangers of fireworks, and plans to introduce Draconian laws such as on-the-spot £40 fines for irresponsible users. Though why we have to follow laws made in Draconia, I do not know. I mean, do the Draconians ever take any notice of English law? I think not.
These safety measures are long overdue because when I was a kid, many people believed the whole point of fireworks was to behave irresponsibly, by throwing them at unsuspecting passers-by, or creating small explosions. For older people, maybe this was some peculiar way of satirising the Blitz, and younger people perhaps didn't fully understand the consequences of explosions (because the IRA bombings had not yet begun, let alone the al-Qaeda atrocities), but even then it struck me as a thoroughly rum business.
On television, ads exhorting us to "Light up the sky with Standard Fireworks" would feature plenty of oohs and arrrs, but all too often the reality was arghs and eeeks followed by a trip to casualty. As for the Jumping Jack (a British version of Russian Roulette which some wag would light and release into an unsuspecting crowd), their primary function was to turn Guy Fawkes Night into Burns Night. And I'm not talking Tam O'Shanter. I'm talking Simon Weston. Another reason there will be fewer fireworks around this year is because many public displays have had to be cancelled, due to the difficulty of getting insurance.

October 19 2002, Evening Chronicle, Plea on bangers
Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell has handled in national petition calling for tougher controls on fireworks.
He was part of a delegation which delivered the 200,000 - signature petition to Downing Street.
It calls for better safeguards for the sale and use of fireworks and tougher powers for Trading Standards Officers.
Mr Campbell said, "Many of my constituents are fed up with youngsters causing mayhem with fireworks."
An earlier petition in Tynemouth called for a clampdown on aerial bombs, which the DTI have since announced are to be banned.

October 19 2002, Evening Chronicle, Vent Your Spleen
I've just been reading Wednesday's paper, October 16.  I also live in Shiremoor, I've lived here for 60 years and I wholeheartedly agree with the person from Shiremoor writing about fireworks and the little hooligans.  They're worse than savages and they've got no respect for your property.  Anyone who wants to abduct them, they wouldn't need a car, they'd need a double-decker bus, I'm talking 10pm and after, and they're not teenagers.  I've seen kids of five years old outside.

October 19 2002, The Guardian, Banging on about fireworks cover, Mary O'Hara
Fireworks night is fast approaching and as people rush to stock up on sparklers and bangers, they are being encouraged to consider the insurance implications should something go wrong.
The increasing popularity of fireworks for home, and small public displays, has brought with it fresh concerns about safety, with many insurers either increasing premiums for such events, or withdrawing cover altogether as more people claim for injuries or damage to property.
But in an attempt to keep the tradition of fireworks on Halloween and Guy Fawkes night alive, insurer NFU Mutual said it will continue to offer cover to people organising such events - although only to existing customers - and added that premiums would "inevitably" increase.
Other insurers, such as the Cooperative Insurance Society (CIS), offer "Events" policies which also incorporate such things as village fetes, but these, too, are only open to existing customers.
For anyone organising a private fireworks display at home, however, insurance protection should be covered under the public liability clause of their home insurance.

October 19 2002, icCoventry - Retailers behind bonfire safety code
Staff at every shop in Coventry which sells fireworks will be asked to put up posters and hand out leaflets detailing the firework Good Neighbour code. The code has been drawn up by Coventry City Council in response to a barrage of complaints about fireworks being too noisy, too late at night and being set off in the street.
The council's trading standards officers are visiting every shop in Coventry which sells fireworks in the run-up to bonfire night and the Hindu festival Diwali handing out copies of the code in leaflet and poster form.
Steve Moseley who owns Moseley Trading in the city centre where thousands of boxes of fireworks are sold every year, has already given his backing to the code.  The businessman now plans to put a copy of the code in each box of fireworks he sells.  He said: "The code is an ideal reminder to people to have fun but think about other residents within their area.  "As a firework retailer I obviously don't want to see fireworks banned and I think Coventry council is working hard to achieve a balance between allowing people to enjoy fireworks but ensuring they are not a social nuisance."
Cllr John McNicholas, (Lab Lower Stoke), cabinet member for environment and transport, said "We feel that firework retailers can play a huge role in spreading the safety message as well as a sensible use of fire-works."
The fireworks code reminds people to be considerate and to warn neighbours in advance as they may have pets or vulnerable family members. It also suggests a greater use of fireworks that are visual rather than make a loud noise and, above all, that displays finish by 11pm.
The code - which also suggests people go to an organised display rather than buy their own fireworks - advises that any they do buy are labelled with British safety Standard BS7114.
They should never be let off in the street - which can attract fines - and should be carefully checked to be not too powerful for the size of the garden.

October 19 2002, icNewcastle - Plea on bangers, By The Evening Chronicle
Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell has handed in a national petition calling for tougher controls on fireworks. He was part of a delegation which delivered the 200,000-signature petition to Downing Street. It calls for better safeguards for the sale and use of fireworks and tougher powers for Trading Standards Officers.
Mr Campbell said: "Many of my constituents are fed up with youngsters causing mayhem with fireworks." An earlier petition in Tynemouth called for a clampdown on aerial bombs, which the DTI have since announced are to be banned.

October 19 2002, icWales - Fireworks seized
POLICE have seized £10,000 of illegal fireworks containing four times more gunpowder than is allowed by law.
Officers and Trading Standards officials raided a house in Grand Avenue, in Ely, Cardiff, yesterday morning and discovered the haul.  The Echo recently reported how property was damaged and residents left terrified after a number of massive fireworks were let off in the area.
Police said the fireworks seized contained 150kg of gunpowder, four times more than is allowed in legal fireworks of the same type.  "We have had several incidents recently involving the misuse of fireworks," said Sergeant Jackie Johnson of Ely Community First team.  "This operation shows how committed we are to stamping out this problem.  "We cannot stress too much the dangers of buying fireworks from unregistered sellers."

October 19 2002, Leeds Today, BANG out of order
THE YORKSHIRE Evening Post's campaign to end our readers' firework misery has won a massive thumbs up from the House of Commons. Leeds MPs have spotlighted the YEP's campaign at Westminster, using it to demand action on the issue from Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.  Our bid to clamp down on firework abuse has already won the backing of scores of readers as well as leading political figures.
MPs praised the YEP for tackling "the growing problem of the abuse of fireworks amid rising public concern."
They put forward our calls for a system that properly licenses access to fireworks to ensure they don't end up in the wrong hands. We also want to end the misery of noisy fireworks all-year round by restricting sales to just before Bonfire Night.
The Commons motion was backed by Labour MPs John Battle (Leeds West), Paul Truswell (Pudsey), Colin Burgon (Elmet), Harold Best (Leeds North West), Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East), George Mudie (Leeds East) and Colin Challen (Morley and Rothwell).  Nearly 20 MPs have now added their signatures to the motion, which supports the YEP campaign.  And other MPs echoed our calls in a Commons protest which demanded action to end the "unnecessary terror and disruption" felt by people, animals and emergency services.
Meanwhile, John Battle has proposed a licensing system which would effectively halt sales of fireworks in the High Street and corner shops.
Firework parties could still be held for special private occasions but they would have to be licensed so as to ensure safety and adult control, Mr Battle suggested.  He said his plan - in which fireworks would be available from registered dealers - would help stop misery and danger caused by hooligans using monster fireworks as "mortars."

October 19 2002, Manchester Online, Soccer ace backs firework bid
THE man with the safest hands in Bolton - Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen - is calling for a safe bonfire night.  Youths are already causing problems in Bolton with fireworks being thrown at firefighters, and Jussi has joined with Bolton's Bonfire and Firework Safety Group to urge everybody not to mess about with them.
The soccer ace said: "Fireworks are great but in the wrong hands they're lethal, so save yourself a lot of heartache and don't fool around with them. We all want a safe bonfire night - play your part by handling your fireworks with care."
The Bonfire and Firework Safety Group, made up of fire, police and council representatives, is co-ordinating a number of initiatives in Bolton including:
Fire brigade talks to schools about the dangers of fireworks and bonfires.
A Trading Standards crackdown on retailers selling fireworks to children.
A 24-hour council hotline number to report dangerous bonfires. This will be in operation from October 24 to November 6 on 01204 336631.
A safety display at the Market Place Shopping Centre rotunda on October 29.  Insp Sean Hogan, chair of the Bolton Bonfire and Firework Safety Group, said: "With half-term about to start we are sending a strong message to teenagers in particular not to fool around with fireworks.  "We're also asking parents to be aware of the problem and make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing."
The MEN has launched a campaign to ban firework sales over the counter.

October 19 2002, Manchester online, Stay Safe Campaign
My dog is at the moment shivering in terror under the stairs. It is only October 19 and this is the fifth night running that she has been terrified by the bangs of fireworks being set off.
P D, Lower Darwen, Lancs

October 19 2002, This is Nottingham, FIREWORK TERROR ON SCHOOL BUS
Terror struck a school bus ride when a pupil hurled a lit firework at passers-by - narrowly missing a woman and her baby. Furious bus driver John Davis pulled over on a busy road after the rocket exploded on the footpath.
The incident happened shortly after the Nottingham City Transport bus pulled out of Haywood Comprehensive School in Sherwood.  Mr Davis said it was his most terrifying experience in 12 years behind the wheel.
Mr Davis, 36, of Ilkeston said: "I thought I'd seen it all on school buses but I couldn't believe this.
"I was driving along and I just heard this enormous bang at the side of the bus. I thought one of the tyres had blown out.  "A crossing attendant and a bus driver following us both saw a firework come out of the top deck.
"I pulled over and went upstairs - the whole top deck was filled with smoke.  "It was obvious the firework had been lit and chucked out of the window. It is the most dangerous thing I have ever seen."
The number 206 bus left Haywood Comprehensive - with only its pupils on board - shortly before the incident at 3.25pm on Tuesday.  It was about to take a route through the city on the way to Manning School, Aspley.
The bus was being driven down Edwards Lane, towards Valley Road, when the bang could be heard on the left-hand side of the bus.  The bus had already started to turn left on to Valley Road and had to pull over at the next stop.  The packed double-decker, with more than 100 children on board, was one of three buses taking the same route at the end of the school day.
No children have owned up to letting off the firework and no one has been caught.  The bus waited for half-an-hour for an NCT inspector to arrive to make sure the bus could proceed. He let the bus carry on but followed it to monitor the situation.  Nicola Tidy, NCT spokeswoman, said: "This was an entirely unacceptable situation.  "We will be talking to the school. "We can't allow dangerous behaviour like this or throwing other things out of the window and opening emergency doors, which also took place."
New senior staff took over at Haywood Comprehensive last Christmas following declining discipline and results. GCSE results improved under new headteacher Jill Hislop and, it is claimed, so did discipline.  Deputy head Steve Jollis said: "NCT have not contacted us.  "The school will respond appropriately to any incidents brought to our attention." Ms Tidy said police had not been informed at this stage as the matter was being dealt with by the council.