CONSUMER Minister Nigel Griffiths today unveiled his crackdown on danger fireworks announcing a two stage ban on all bangers. Shopkeepers who defy the ban or sell to under 18s will face six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000. As exclusively revealed in the BEN last week, he wants to ban the sale of bangers and other high-risk devices to the public.

Today Mr Griffiths published wide-ranging proposals aimed at taking thousands of danger fireworks out of circulation before this Bonfire Night and more by next year's.

There will be two months of consulation.

By November 5, Mr Griffiths wants to ban the sale of large bangers, jumping crackers and other erratic fireworks, aerial shells, and fireworks which do not comply with British Safety Standard BS 7114.

He also intends to raise the age at which teenagers can buy fireworks from 16 to 18, give new powers to trading standards officers to enforce this and prevent boxes of fireworks being split up by shopkeepers.

By December 31 he wants to ban mini-rockets, and all remaining bangers.

He also wants sparklers deemed as not suitable for the under fives and ensure that fireworks not suitable for use by the general public carry prominent warnings. Mr Griffiths was accompanied at the press conference to announce the crackdown by Ruth Hattersley whose primary school head teacher husband David was one of three people killed at celebrations last November 5. He died from an aerial bomb - one of the devices to be banned.

Mr Griffiths will also tighten the rules defining who is a professional display organiser entitled to buy and use the most powerful and dangerous fireworks.

Mr Griffiths said: "Firework injuries have soared to unacceptable. I am taking tough action to protect the public, while ensuring that families can continue to enjoy fireworks. Too many children are injured. Too many elderly people live in fear because of hooligan fireworks. The three tragic deaths last year might have been avoided if the sale of large display fireworks had been restricted.

"A two-stage ban is necessary to ensure that stocks are used up so they do not flood the market illegally."

The moves were welcomed by the RSPCA, RoSPA and Trading Standards Officers.

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