Anyone convicted of setting off fireworks without a licence faces a fine of up to £5,000, Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister has warned.
David Ford was speaking ahead of this week’s Halloween celebrations.
A valid fireworks licence is required for buying, possessing and using certain types of fireworks.
Mr Ford said hundreds of licences have been issued so far, but he criticised those who ignored the law.
Mr Ford said: “I suspect you’ll find that the bangers going off on the street are nothing to do with licences and they are almost certainly illegally bought.”
He added: “They are showing great distaste for other people, for the way they treat neighbours, for the threats to animals, older people who feel unhappy and insecure. That’s the real reason why we have licensing.”
