West Yorkshire authorities have seized more than £210,000 worth of illegal goods, including 169,600 illicit cigarettes, 41kg of hand-rolling tobacco and over 2,600 illegal vapes, in a crackdown on rogue retailers across the county ahead of Bonfire Night.
Separate multi-agency operations in Bradford and Halifax have also led to the seizure of more than 30 tonnes of fireworks, with authorities warning illegal traders that unsafe products and irresponsible storage will not be tolerated.
Officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards, West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have carried out joint days of action across all five districts of West Yorkshire, targeting rogue retailers.
Acting on community intelligence, officers inspected 21 businesses. Enforcement action was taken where illegal products were identified, while also reinforcing the message around responsible firework sales.
Businesses visited during the operations were provided with preventative advice and guidance, highlighting the importance of safe firework storage and the robust age-verification procedures concerning the sale of fireworks.
During the inspections, officers seized more than £210,000 worth of illegal goods, including 169,600 illicit cigarettes, 41kg of hand-rolling tobacco and over 2,600 illegal vapes. In addition, a quantity of unsafe toys, out-of-date food products and other dangerous consumer goods were removed from sale.
Linda Davis, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards (Protecting Communities) said, “This series of collaborative action taken across West Yorkshire is designed to reinforce the message that illegal traders are not welcome on our high streets. It is important for consumers to only buy fireworks from licensed suppliers that are correctly labelled and comply with current safety standards.
"We will not tolerate illegal traders in our communities who carelessly sell fireworks that could be unsafe and pose a huge risk to the public, especially if those fireworks end up in the hands of children. The age restriction for fireworks is in place for a reason, and businesses must conduct age verification checks if in any doubt before selling.”
Alongside this activity, more than 30 tonnes of fireworks were also seized in Bradford and Halifax following a separate multi-agency operation. The activity by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and West Yorkshire Police (WYP) has formed part of ongoing enquiries into the illegal storage of fireworks in the county.
It began following an inspection by WYFRS at two premises on Darley Street, Bradford, during October. Fireworks were subsequently seized from those locations while enquiries continued.
Those enquiries led officers from the three partner agencies to additional locations in Bradford and Calderdale. Further quantities of fireworks were identified, seized, and removed to safeguard the public. The work to establish the exact quantities of fireworks involved, the circumstances in which they were being stored and non-compliance with relevant legal requirements remains ongoing. Fireworks recovered so far have been assessed as possessing an explosive content of more than 5.5 tonnes.
Following the seizures on Darley Street West Yorkshire Police with the support of Bradford Council applied to Bradford Magistrates Court for a 48-hour closure order on premises used and or operated by Big Shotter Fireworks Ltd. That order was granted and later extended to 12 November 2026. The closure order will remain in place pending further consideration by the courts.
Speaking about both operations, Sareth Humpage, Chief Superintendent and Gold Commander for West Yorkshire Police's Bonfire Night operation, said “West Yorkshire Police, together with Bradford and Calderdale Councils, have been supporting colleagues from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Health and Safety Executive and Trading Standards during these ongoing operations.
"Our officers have assisted partners at a number of locations, helping them to carry out their work safely and supporting action to protect the public.
"We know the illegal sale and anti-social use of fireworks is of significant concern to our communities and we have been working hard with our partners to tackle those issues across West Yorkshire.
“The recent days of action demonstrate the value of agencies working together to protect our communities and disrupt the sale of illegal goods. I would like to thank colleagues from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards for their continued support and the work undertaken across all five districts.”
Christopher Kemp, Senior Fire Protection Manager at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said “Fireworks are explosives and there are strict controls around how and where they can be stored.
“Those controls exist to protect businesses, employees and, importantly, the wider public. Our priority throughout this activity has been public safety. Working alongside HSE and West Yorkshire Police, we have removed unprecedented quantities of fireworks from a number of locations while our enquiries continue.
“This is a complex operation involving a number of locations and different regulatory responsibilities. Our investigations remain ongoing and it would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about its outcome or any enforcement action that may follow.
“I would like to thank our colleagues at HSE and West Yorkshire Police for the considerable support they have provided throughout this work.”
Martyn Sime Chief Inspector of Explosives for the Health and Safety Executive said “The Health and Safety Executive has been working closely with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the safe storage of fireworks identified during this ongoing activity.
“Explosives, including fireworks, must be stored safely and in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. Our immediate priority has been to work with partners to manage any risks identified and ensure the safe handling and storage of the fireworks concerned.”