TRADERS are being warned to take extra care when selling and stocking fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.

TRADERS are being warned to take extra care when selling and stocking fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Havering Council officers will be carrying out test purchasing operations using under age volunteers to make sure that fireworks are not being sold to anyone under 18 years old and will be visiting shops to make sure that they are licensed to sell fireworks.

Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Cllr Lesley Kelly said: “Fireworks can be dangerous-especially in the wrong hands.

“That’s why we are doing what we can to make sure we know who is selling them and that they are not being sold to children.”

Traders found selling fireworks to children could face a fine of up to �5,000 and risk loosing their storage licence.

Traders also need a registration certificate to sell fireworks and it is a criminal offence to sell them in any public place like car boot sales.

Officers will be visiting car boot sales before November 5 and will take action against anyone breaking the law.

The police will also be stepping up their patrols and have deployed a state of the art mobile command and support vehicle, called Sally containing 14 CCTV cameras with computer controlled automatic tracking systems to follow suspects and infer red cameras allowing officers to track suspects.

A mosquito crowd dispersal device will also be used during Bonfire Night to disperse crowds by giving out a high pitched noise and automatic number plate readers that check vehicles number plates.

Chief Inspector Goddard King said: “Sally will be deployed by the police at times of expected peak activity.

“Not only will it be used as a highly mobile CCTV system deployed to assist police identify troublemakers but it can be used to capture images to be provided at court.”

Anyone who is concerned about the way fireworks are being stored or sold to children can contact the Council on 01708 433484.