Vic:70 boxes of fireworks seized in Victoria's north-east

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2003
Vic:70 boxes of fireworks seized in Victoria's north-east

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP - Victorian police have seized one tonne of fireworks in a Melbourne-bound
truck.

Police stopped the truck on the Hume Highway, near Wangaratta in the state's north,
yesterday afternoon.

Detective Acting Sergeant Matt Height said he believed the fireworks, which were to
be used on New Year's Eve in Melbourne, came from Canberra.

Police learnt about the fireworks, some of which are illegal in Victoria, after a member
of the public alerted the safety authority, WorkSafe, to their existence.

WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said the fact that someone had contacted his
organisation indicated the message about the dangers associated with using fireworks was
getting through to the public.

He said more than 100 Victorians had received treatment for injuries sustained through
the use of illegal fireworks during the past three years.

"Although people look back nostalgically at fireworks, especially as we approach the
new year, we would like to remind people that fireworks were banned because they cause
injuries and also trauma to animals," he said.

WorkSafe has put a value of $14,500 on the seized fireworks.

Police are interviewing two men, aged 41 and 27, from Bonning, NSW over the seizure.

AAP kw/gfr/jv/de

KEYWORD: FIREWORKS

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