There were calls today for young people to carry proof-of-age cards after it emerged fireworks have been sold by Belfast stories to under-16s from the young people's news agency Children's Express.
| Large signs said under 16’s could not buy fireworks, so staff have no excuse. |
The young journalists were repeating a similar exercise carried out last year - to name and shame shops who illegally sell fireworks to young people under 16.
Jenny, a small 13-year-old, bought two packets of Roman Candles in the Mace on High Street.
"I just went in, said how much are them fireworks and then I bought them," she said.
| | What the shopkeepers said | | Mace Michael Quinn, operations manager: "It is not our policy to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 16 so I can only express regret that it happened in this case. It is very hard to judge the age of teenagers these days and we would normally ask the age of anyone who looks very young. I think identity cards would help retailers to prevent teenagers getting hold of alcohol, tobacco or fireworks. | | Athletic Stories A store spokesman: "We would never knowingly sell fireworks to anyone under 16. We would always try to ask their age and if we are in any doubt we would not sell them. Proof of age cards would make our lives easier." | | SS Moores John Moore: "We have a very strict policy that anyone who looks anywhere close to 16 years old is asked for proof of age. We also have signs up saying fireworks will not be sold to anyone under 16. If someone has slipped past the net it must have been because they looked 16." | | Eason’s A store spokesman: "As a company we are a licensed and approved retailer of garden fireworks which conform with regulations. Staff and management are trained and aware of the statutory requirements and endeavour to conform to them. I cannot comment on any individual case." | | Interviews by Kathryn Torney of the Belfast Telegraph. | |
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"It was dead easy, no-one asked me my age or for proof of my age, they just wanted the money," she added, as she handed fireworks over to a senior member of Children's Express, who was waiting outside the shop.
In Athletic stores in Queen's Street a half-hearted attempt was made to verify age, but Conor Scullion (14) made his purchase without difficulty.
"I asked for a packet of fireworks and the man joked: 'Say your date of birth quickly.' I did and he said 'Ok, go to the supervisor at the desk.'"
Orlaith Graham Wood (13) went into SS Moore's sports shop and purchased Rattlesnake fireworks.
"I walked over to the table where they were all sitting out, I just picked up one packet and walked over to the cashier and she said '£2:00 please,' gave me a receipt and I just walked out.
"Large signs in each shop clearly said under 16's could not buy fireworks, so staff have no excuse - they served me and there is no way I could be mistaken for a 16-year-old," Orlaith said.
Michael Leatham (15) tried Eason's, a bigger chain store in Ann's Street. "I went into Eason's and had a look about. I asked for a packet of Air Burst - they just got them out of the cabinet, I gave them the money and that was it. I just walked out," he said
"Eason's is a well-known shop and should know better than to break the law, especially where children are concerned," he added.
Selling fireworks to young people below the legal age limit carries a fine of up to £5,000, the possibility of confiscation of fireworks and/or a six month jail sentence.
Last year, of the 80 young people injured by fireworks, more than 70 percent were boys, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
About the team
This article was produced by Jenny Quinn, 13 Conor Scullion 14, Orlaith Graham Wood, 13 and Michael Leathem, 15. A version of this article was published in the Belfast Telegraph.
Read last year's article, Playing with Fire.
