POLICE throughout the county are reminding the public that fireworks may only be let off until 11pm in the days leading up to and after Bonfire Night, with an extension until midnight on November 5, Bonfire Night itself.

Officers will be tackling misuse of fireworks as part of the force’s drive to reduce anti-social behaviour in all its forms.

Concern about the misuse of fireworks in recent years has led to the introduction of new powers for the police.

Officers can now issue on-the-spot fines of £80 to people letting off fireworks in public places, such as the street, parks and stations, as well as to those breaching the curfew.

Possession of fireworks by under-18s in public is also an offence, so too is possession of so-called ‘professional’ or category 4* fireworks by anyone other than a firework professional.

The most serious misuse or possession could result in prosecution and a maximum fine of £5,000 or six months in prison.

Kent Police’s Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, Mick Wright said: “Not many people misuse fireworks, but those who do need to be stopped. Fireworks are dangerous and need to be handled responsibly and with care always remembering the noise nuisance, distress and damage they can cause.”

Kent Police is working with local authority trading standards officers, customs officers to ensure that the regulations regarding the sale of fireworks to under18s are enforced and that the fireworks on sale conform to the appropriate British Standard – bearing the code BS 7114.