SHOPS illegally selling and storing fireworks are being targeted in a countywide crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

Trading standards, police, fire officers and district council officials are carrying out spot-checks to find traders breaking the law ahead of Bonfire Night.

As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, the clampdown has already found a stash of homemade explosives belonging to professional pyrotechnics expert Karl Shead, 21.

Officers took away powders and mixing bowls from his aunt’s home in Collingwood Avenue, Didcot. No-one was arrested.

There are 136 outlets registered or licensed to sell fireworks in the county, and each one can expect an inspection before November 5.

Patrol cars will visit areas which suffer from firework misuse and under-18s will also be sent into shops to try to buy fireworks in a bid to root out traders selling them to minors.

Inspectors claim the crackdown will “nip many problems in the bud” and help make Bonfire Night celebrations safer.

Oxfordshire trading standards officer Richard Wightman said: “So far it has been reasonably satis-factory.

“We are finding some issues but they are ones that can be resolved by the businesses.”

A team was out in Bicester on Wednesday and visited nine shops selling fireworks.

Officers removed a number from a storage container at Martin McColl newsagent, in the town centre, through a “voluntary forfeiture” after finding some which were up to five years old.

Watch manager Brian Butler, based at Banbury fire station, was part of the patrol. He said: “Fireworks are good fun, but can be very dangerous.

“We need to make sure they are stored properly.

“One of the biggest threats to us is if we are tackling a fire at premises which contain fireworks which we are not aware of.”

The Oxfordshire Firework Partnership includes the county council’s trading standards and fire and rescue services, Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council, the four district councils and Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust.

People who breach manufacturing and storage regulations face a fine of up to £20,000 and a possible prison sentence.

County petroleum and explosives officer David Sandy added: “Fireworks should be locked in a safe place with no public access. There should also be a risk assessment.

“Lots of traders can boost their income at this time of year and we are just looking to make fireworks as safe as they possibly can be.”

Last year, the fire service received eight firework-related calls. There were no reports of arson involving fireworks.

Chief Supt Brendan O’Dowda, Oxfordshire’s police commander, said: “This is an excellent initiative which involves all partner agencies coming together to tackle antisocial behaviour and criminal damage that unfortunately takes place when fireworks get into the wrong hands.

“When fireworks are used illegally, they can intimidate law-abiding members of the public and, above all, put people in danger.”