BEDFORD TRADER FINED OVER FIREWORKS

Bedford Borough Council Trading Standards Officers are reminding retailers to store fireworks safely or risk having them seized and face prosecution.

This follows the successful prosecution of a Bedford retailer on 5th October 2010. 35-year-old Mr Jitesh Mandalia, owner of K&P Stores, 39 Stanley Street, Bedford was found guilty of breaching regulations made under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. The court fined him a total of £785 (£500 fine and ordered him to pay £15 victim surcharge and £250 costs).

A joint inspection between Trading Standards and Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Service undertaken on October 28th 2009, highlighted a large number of fireworks were being stored unsafely in a storage room. This room contained live electrics, working electrical and flammable items such as lighter fluid, alcohol and cigarettes.

Mr Mandalia had received a written warning the previous year regarding similar issues at his store, therefore in line with the Council's Enforcement Policy, Officers took the decision to seize the fireworks.

Cllr Nick Charsley, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, commented "Public safety is essential during this time of year and awareness to the dangers of storing fireworks is crucial to prevent accidents and injuries happening.

"In order to assist retailers the Trading Standards Service will be undertaking a number of joint inspections with the Fire Service to ensure appropriate standards are being met. Obviously where retailers are found to be storing fireworks irresponsibly and putting the safety of their employees and the public at risk, they run the risk of facing legal action regarding their actions.

As part of this awareness campaign, Trading Standards Officers will also be conducting Test Purchase Operations in the coming weeks to ensure traders do not sell fireworks to people under the age of 18.