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| ‘PATHETIC’: PLAN TO BAN FIREWORKS |
City Hall calls on shop owners not
to sell fireworks
A CALL for shops not to sell fireworks, as they might be mistaken
for bombs, has been described as “pathetic” by the chairman
of a leading pyrotechnics association.
Westminster Council sent letters to all traders that sold fireworks
last year asking them not to stock pyrotechnics this year claiming
it would worry the public.
Trader were sent the letter about five weeks ago by Sue Jones, Westminster’s
Trading Standards operations manager, with the support of the Metropolitan
Police and the London Fire Brigade.
Ms Jones wrote: “You will be acutely aware of the recent explosions
and subsequent attacks on London’s transport system.
“This has, understandably, left many in a state of shock, nervousness
and continued vigilance. It is to be expected that the sound of
any explosion is likely to cause considerable distress.
“Indeed, the Metropolitan Police have already received a report
from a member of the public who mistook a firework explosion for
a bomb. I am sure you will appreciate the level of response required
to investigate such mistaken reports and that such precious time
could be better spent by the emergency services elsewhere.
She added: “In the circumstances, we would urge you not to
sell fireworks to the public this year.”
But John Woodhead, chairman of the British Fireworks Association,
made a withering attack as it emerged that leading shops in the
West End were ignoring the letter and selling tens of thousands
of pounds worth of fireworks.
Mr Woodhead, who spent years supplying fireworks to Hamleys, said:
“It’s really pathetic, just a knee jerk reaction.
“If we have that sort of attitude we will end up stopping everything.
“Not selling them will create a huge black market. Then every
time a bang goes off people will think it’s terrorists.”
But Mr Woodhead added: “Fireworks have been on sale since October
15 and there are new conditions and we are very happy with the way
things are going.
“But as for, Westminster, if we end up doing something like
this then we really will be in a sorry state.”
Leading stores are ignoring City Hall’s letter and Selfridges,
Harrods as Hamleys are all stocking large ranges of fireworks. |
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