Brimbank police are reminding residents to be aware of the risks of lighting illegal fireworks, after recently receiving related complaints from locals, specifically from Cairnlea.
Commercial fireworks are classed as an explosive and are banned for use by the general public because they can be dangerous in untrained hands, according to Brimbank Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Scott Williams.
“Fireworks carry the risk of serious injury or death – they are extremely unpredictable and volatile,” he said.
“Not only are they extremely dangerous, illegal fireworks are a nuisance for the rest of the community and take up valuable time from our emergency services.
“On several occasions we have seen the use of illegal fireworks resulting in both grass fires and bushfires, as well as causing substantial property damage.”
Acting Inspector Williams said that alongside the inherent danger, using illegal fireworks can also have serious legal and judicial implications.
“Anyone thinking of using illegal fireworks or flares should really think about whether they want to risk being responsible for injuring, or potentially killing another person,” he said.
“The penalties for using illegal fireworks are significant.
“If you’re caught without [an appropriate] licence you can face criminal charges and penalties for imprisonment for up to 15 years, and thousands of dollars worth of fines.
“Police will continue to conduct proactive patrols of known areas of offending, and will continue to respond to all reports of criminal activity.”
This advisory also follows a recent arrest by police which resulted in fireworks being seized.
Police allegedly intercepted a vehicle travelling from Brimbank to Melton, with false number plates on.
Two men exited the vehicle and were arrested — with searches of the vehicle by police allegedly uncovering illegal fireworks, weapons and a quantity of methyl amphetamine.
Both men were charged with a range of offences including displaying false plates, possessing prohibited weapons, possessing prohibited fireworks and possessing methyl amphetamine.
