A FIREWORK throwing incident which injured a woman has led police to warn York's "firework fiends" their actions could lead to serious injuries, or their arrest.

A gang of BMX riding youths in Heslington Road, York, are said to have thrown the lit firework in the direction of the woman.

Police do not believe they planned to throw the firework at her, but it bounced up and hit her legs, causing slight bruising.

The youths then rode off.

Sergeant Colin Ventress said: "Thankfully the lady was not seriously injured, but the consequences could have been much more serious.

"There have been a lot of complaints in York recently about fireworks going off. We want to remind people there are specific offences related to the misuse of fireworks in the street.

"The amount that have been going off recently have been disturbing elderly people and animals and generally causing a nuisance.

"The kids setting these fireworks off are somebody's children so we would ask people to be aware what their children are up to."

Sgt Ventress added: "Shopkeepers are reminded it is illegal to sell fireworks to children. That is something we are looking at very closely."

City of York Council trading standards manager Liz Levitt said the sale of fireworks was governed by fireworks safety regulations and the explosives act.

She said selling fireworks to children under 18 was a criminal offence that could lead to shopkeepers being prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.

Ms Levitt said: "The only items that can be sold to people under 18 are sparklers and caps. From time to time we do test purchases when underage people attempt to buy fireworks.

"The last time we carried out test purchases we had no sales at all. We hope it stays that way."

Last Tuesday the Evening Press reported how police in Selby had threatened to apply for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO) against children persistently throwing fireworks.

Officers hoped the ASBOs would stamp on the problem by putting the children on curfew.

Updated: 08:42 Tuesday, October 22, 2002