Illegal fireworks seized ahead of Bonfire Night

The fireworks were found during 20 visits to different businesses in a joint operation over the past two weeks

More than £10,000 worth of fireworks have been seized in raids across West Yorkshire in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) carried out 20 visits to different businesses in a joint operation over the past two weeks.

As well as 350kg of fireworks, the teams also seized 52,000 illegal cigarettes, 3,500 illegal vapes, more than 10kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco, out-of-date food and an array of unsafe toys.

Chris Kemp, senior fire protection manager for WYFRS, said the operation had helped protect people from the dangers of storing unregulated fireworks.

The fire service said the illegal storage of fireworks posed a significant risk to both the public and its firefighters

"The illegal storage of fireworks creates a significant risk to employees, customers, local residents and our firefighters should we attend a fire in one of these premises," he said.

"I would encourage everyone to attend an organised fireworks event rather than putting on their own display.

"However, if you are buying fireworks then this is a reminder to always purchase them from a reputable licensed retailer and report any suspicious selling activity."

Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller, the head of West Yorkshire Police's Bonfire Night operation, said: "We know the illegal sale and anti-social use of fireworks is a real concern for people in parts of West Yorkshire and that's why we're committed to working with our partners to tackle the issue.

"There is a reason that potentially dangerous items like fireworks can only be sold by legal retailers with safeguards about who can buy them."

Linda Davis, head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said the operation also aimed to show that "illegal traders are not welcome" in the county.

"We will not tolerate illegal traders in our communities who carelessly sell fireworks that could be unsafe and pose a huge risk to the public, especially if those fireworks end up in the hands of children," she said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.