A Barking and Dagenham business that failed a test purchase by selling fireworks to a 14-year-old is now facing prosecution.
Officers from the council’s Trading Standards team carried out test purchasing operations across a number of businesses in the lead up to Bonfire Night on 5 November.
Of the 10 visits conducted, only one business failed – where a young person aged 14 was able to purchase fireworks without being challenged to provide suitable age verification.
The law prohibits selling fireworks to those aged below 18.
The council also reminded businesses that they can only sell fireworks, including sparklers, to private users on these dates: 15 October to 10 November; 26 to 31 December; and three days prior to Diwali and the Chinese New Year.
Barking and Dagenham’s annual Guy Fawkes Lantern Parade, where people dress up as Guy Fawkes, is considered as one of the best Bonfire Night parades in London.
