I bought a really big box of fireworks. It was so easy, no one questioned me at all.
| It’s a thrill buying things under-age. The fact that it’s illegal makes kids think it's better. |
This from a Children's Express reporter, who turned 12 this month but took just 15 minutes to buy a box of 14 fireworks from a street vendor in Holloway Road. The young journalist, who admits to being a "bit of a shorty", could not be mistaken for an adult. So heavy and awkward was the box for him that he struggled to carry it.
Though nearly 700 under 16s were injured by fireworks last year, setting them off remains a seasonal diversion for many youngsters. But this year, it seemed parents could rest safe in the knowledge that the minimum age of sale had been raised to 18. Their expectations may prove to be misplaced. When a team of 11 young journalists, aged between 12 and 16, investigated how easily Islington children could buy fireworks, they were successful in 10 out of 18 attempts.
These children and teenagers, dressed in their usual clothes, were honest if asked about their age and didn't attempt to use fake ID. They purchased everything from sparklers to rockets that promised to whistle and bang and family-sized multi-boxes that contained all sorts of bangs, stars and displays of colour. They recorded their conversation with shopkeepers on to tape and immediately returned to the news bureau to hand over their purchases to adult staff.
Believing youll get away with it appeared to be the key to success. Its down to confidence, explains Amina Kibria, 16. If you go in scared, they won't serve you. If you go confident and ask for what you want, you get served. You don't realise it, but they are assessing you as soon as you walk in. Kids attempt to buy fireworks because they know they'll get away with it - just like buying alcohol and cigarettes.
Lizzie Kenyon. 13, agrees. Its a thrill buying things under-age. The fact that it's illegal makes kids think it's better.
| | What the law says | | The minimum age for the sale of fireworks is now 18, not 16. | | Boxes for retail sale should not be split. | | The most powerful bangers, such as Chinese Crackers, should not be sold to the general public. | | Fireworks with erratic flight, such as ground spinners, jumping crackers and squibs, are banned. | | It is a specific offence to sell fireworks to the public which do not comply with British Standard 7114: 1988. | |
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Many shopkeepers appeared to serve youngsters if they were satisfied that they looked 18. A 13-year-old girl who successfully bought fireworks from a gift shop on Upper Street felt that although the assistant was unsure of her age, he didn't ask her any questions. When confronted, he claimed she looked 18. He insisted that if there had been any doubt, he would have asked her for ID. The reporter was unconvinced. I might look older than I am, she said, but I don't look anything like 18.
Only one shop asked for ID from any member of the team. Two reporters aged 12 and l3 were about to pay for their chosen fireworks at Buyrite, in Upper Street, when they were asked to produce evidence of their age. I was pretty certain the man behind the counter was going to sell them to us, but the fact that he asked was good, noted Kierra Box, 12, approvingly.
Other 12-year-olds were confronted at Essex Food and Wine in Essex Road. The assistant was quite pushy about not selling, which is good. He said we should bring our parents next time. I asked if we could just have some bangers, but he said no. I asked about some sparklers too, but he still refused, reported Sinead Kirwan.
While many shopkeepers did attempt to take a responsible approach to implementing the law, some were unaware of the changes that came into effect in mid-October. One 16-year-old, who bought a large firework from a Barnsbury newsagents, described the confusion. I confronted the woman I had bought it from and explained it was illegal to sell to me. She looked blank and pointed to a sign that said no selling to under 16s. She was genuinely shocked and said that now I had told her what the new law was, she wouldn't sell to under 18s in the future.
Another retailer who sold fireworks to the youngest member of the team did so on October 11, which falls outside the three-week lead into the bonfire night during which the sale of fireworks is permitted.
Children and fireworks make an explosive cocktail. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates that the majority of accidents involving children and fireworks last year were casual incidents where there was no adult supervision. And this year's celebrations have already claimed their first victim. Only a couple of weeks ago, a 14-year-old boy from Birmingham lost the tips of his fingers when a rocket went off in his hand. He was lucky after injuries to the hands, damage to the eyes and head are most common.
To prevent further accidents, some of the reporting team suggested that a greater onus be put on shopkeepers to be more alert and responsible for their actions. The woman who served me was very relaxed, said one 13-year-old. All they want is your money. Thats all they care about, she said.
Lizzie, also 13, added: There should be tighter regulations for selling fireworks, and the police should have greater powers to check up on retailers. Shopkeepers would be less confused if all children had ID cards that stated their exact age.
At the end of the day, said Chris, 12, Id rather have my whole face than a couple of dumb fireworks.
About the team
Report by: Caroline Abomeli, 15; Rachel Bulford, 16; Stuart Fletcher, 15; Amina Kibria, 16; Karen Loughrey, 14; Kierra Box, 12; Ruth Sewell, 12; Carlene Thomas-Bailey, 13; Sinead Kirwan, 12; Chris Fletcher, 12; Ahmod Kibria, 12; and Lizzie Kenyon, 13. It was published in the Highbury & Islington Express.
