Warning after fireworks stolen from magazine in Rye
Police are warning people to be cautious of anyone offering large display fireworks for sale as Sussex starts to run up to Bonfire Night on November 5.
The warning comes after a firework magazine was broken into at Rye in the week leading up to Saturday, September 17. Despite a sophisticated locking system, someone gained access to the licensed storage facility and removed around £1,100 worth of fireworks, mainly higher category display items designed to be used by trained, professional operators.
PC Paul Eastes said: “This was almost certainly carefully planned and targeted and tyre tracks leading to the container would suggest that a reasonably large vehicle was used to carry off the fireworks. A witness reports hearing noises in the area in the early hours of the Saturday that the break-in was reported, but did not associate them with any suspicious activity.
“We are investigating the burglary, but our main concern is that these explosives may fall into the hands of people who do not know how to use them or appreciate just how dangerous they might be. The fireworks, imported from China, are packaged in plastic bags that are in turn boxed in cardboard cartons sealed with packing tape.
“The majority of the items are display ‘cakes’, but there are also mines and candles and any attempt to light them or to throw them into a fire could be extremely dangerous. They are designed to be used on an organised display field with significant safety distances and if used in a domestic setting, such as a back garden, would be very hazardous.”
If you have information about the break-in or know where the fireworks may have been offered for sale, please email [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 518 of 17/09. If you see anyone trying to use them outside of an organised setting, please dial 999 immediately.