FIRE chiefs and police are cracking down on yobs messing around with fireworks in Nelson.

Police are laying on extra patrols and cracking down on the illegal sale of fireworks as part of their bid to reduce the nuisance element of fireworks.

And teams are out on the streets of Nelson between now and Sunday to visit hot-spots in a bid to deter youths.

Nick Isherwood, station commander at Nelson fire station said:

"We are working with the police and schools and youth groups to try and deter youngsters messing around with fireworks and will be using fixed fines to try to reduce the nuisance.

"We will out every night patrolling the streets and limiting the reckless and anti-social behaviour. Officers are warning that misuse of fireworks can not only damage health but pockets too, since police can now fine youths under the Fixed Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) scheme.

The scheme, introduced in April, takes account of new firework legislation and means £80 fines may be issued to anyone committing offences including throwing fireworks, breaching a fireworks curfew, being in possession of a category 4 firework (a display type firework) or being under 18 and in possession of an adult firework.

Insp Richard Robertshaw, from Pennine Police, said: "The fixed penalty notices for disorder are just one of the tactics we will use.

"We will also be working in partnership with local fire chiefs, local authorities and Trading Standards officers to reduce the nuisance caused by fireworks and number of offences committed.

"That will involve visits to shops selling fireworks to remind them of their responsibilities and the pro-active targeting by police and trading standards of premises suspected of selling fireworks to underage youngsters.

"We will be distributing posters in known trouble spots warning youngsters of the dangers of misusing fireworks and mounting extra high visibility patrols, involving both regular and special constables, to reassure residents and deter offenders."