Police to monitor use and sale of firecrackers

Police will be closely monitoring the use and sale of firecrackers.

Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro said that police officers will be accompanying officials of the Mineral Resources Department when they carry out inspections on the sale of firecrackers.

She said the checks conducted will be to ascertain whether dealers have the necessary permit to sell firecrackers and ensure no illegal sale of prohibited firecrackers.

Awareness will also be conducted on the issue of selling or supplying fireworks to a person who is under the age of 18.
 
She said anyone found breaching the regulations will face the penalties in place.

According to the Defense Ministry Firecrackers can only be used from next Thursday to the 14th of this month.

It can only be used from 5pm to 10pm while on Diwali night it can be used from 5pm to midnight.

Anyone caught using firecrackers outside the given time frame can be fined up to $400 or face imprisonment for up to 6months.

Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa