POLICE have today pledged to take action against people who throw fireworks and warned parents to make sure their children are not carrying them.The warnings come after two incidents in which fireworks were let off at Ipswich homes, damaging property and putting lives at risk.

POLICE have today pledged to take action against people who throw fireworks and warned parents to make sure their children are not carrying them.

The warnings come after two incidents in which fireworks were let off at Ipswich homes, damaging property and putting lives at risk.

The fireworks damaged two properties on the Chantry estate in the early hours of Wednesday .

One home was left with a burnt and smoke damaged windowsill and the other with a damaged door and carpet.

David Heron, 54 of Mallard Way, was in bed when a firework went off on his doormat in a community hallway, waking him at about 4am.

He said: “It could have been a lot worse. It was set off in a small area and could have killed someone.

“It could have started a fire and been very nasty.

“I think it is so stupid”

Earlier the same morning at around 2am a firework was left inside an open window on a windowsill of a ground floor flat in Orwell Gardens, damaging the window frame.

There have been several other attacks with fireworks in the town in recent weeks.

On Sunday a firework was placed into the letterbox in Cobbold Street at 8.15pm causing minor damage to the door.

And last month two other properties in Chantry were targeted with fireworks.

Lisa Miller, spokeswoman for Suffolk police, said: “It is an offence for a person aged under 18 to be in possession of an adult firework in a public place.

“Fireworks can cause significant damage and or harm when set off in an unsupervised or irresponsible way.

“New legislation including the Fireworks Regulation Act 2003 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004 has now been enacted and police in Suffolk will be enforcing these new laws.”

She said Fixed Penalty Notices would be issued to people aged between 16 and 18 who were in possession of fireworks and the £80 fines would also be issued to those who threw fireworks.

Those under 16 who breach the regulations will be dealt with by the courts.

Mrs Miller said it was important for parents to be aware of the new legislation and take steps to warn children that they must not carry or use adult fireworks in a public place.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents should call Pc Kirsty Graefe at Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Has your home been damaged by fireworks? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblinks: www.suffolk.police.uk; www.eveningstar.co.uk/news