Police seize thousands of illegal fireworks

Police recovered fireworks in the Bellaghy area on Monday

Police in Magherafelt have recovered a large quantity of fireworks that were being sold illegally.

Officers went to premises believed to have been selling the fireworks in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, on Monday.

Around 3,400 display-only fireworks were recovered.

The pyrotechnics, with an estimated value of around £10,000, were seized alongside almost £600 in cash.

'Clear warning to traders'

One man was arrested on suspicion of fireworks related offences, including selling fireworks without a licence.

He has since been released on police bail.

The PSNI said fireworks are made from explosive material and if misused can cause serious and life changing injuries.

"It is illegal to possess, sell, handle or use fireworks if you do not have a licence and can be fined up to £5,000 for breaking the law.

"We are committed to preserving public safety and this fireworks seizure demonstrates our commitment.

"We hope this sends a clear warning to traders not to break the law and put people's lives at risk," the police said.

Misuse can cause 'lifetime of injuries'

Mr Brown has treated "severe" injuries caused by fireworks

Plastic surgeon, Alastair Brown, is warning the public about the dangers of such fireworks misuse.

Mr Brown, an Ulster Hospital Consultant, has treated some of the most severe injuries caused by fireworks and said patients come in injured every year because of them.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Mr Brown said that some patients require years of surgery after sustaining injuries from fireworks, and often the damage can only be "partly corrected".

Sparklers

"It is not only the physical repercussions, it's the extreme psychological and social aspects and these can be profound," he added.

He warned that fireworks "can look fancy with their packaging, but they are dangerous explosives and should be handled as such".

"Even sparklers can cause significant injuries, they burn at very high temperatures.

"Clothes can catch fire and cause catastrophic burns,” he said.

Alastair Brown has been a consultant for more than 10 years in the Plastic Surgery Unit

'Severe scarring'

Mr Brown has been a consultant for more than 10 years in the Plastic Surgery Unit.

He said the majority of injuries he has treated are to the face and hands.

"Some of the injuries we have seen is where people have lost part or almost all of their hand and the consequence of that can be severe.

“Each year the people we see presenting have injuries that are life changing. Firework injuries can cause severe scarring to areas such as the face or damage to the hands that affect how you work, socialise and live."

His plea is for those who decide to use fireworks this Halloween to treat them with the "utmost respect".

Most injuries 'preventable'

He said the majority of injuries caused by fireworks that he sees are preventable and are caused by "careless or inappropriate use".

"Never let your guard down when using fireworks – follow the instructions and the fireworks code," he told Good Morning Ulster.

"We would see a lot of the careless use of fireworks coming in, and they don't quite understand at the time, when we follow them up into their early adulthood, it's extreme regret.

“A moment’s carelessness can cause a lifetime of problems for you or for someone else.”