THOUSANDS of potentially dangerous fireworks have been stolen from an address in Gravesend - causing concern for Kent Police.

The container, holding approximately 2000 ‘category four’ fireworks worth around £10,000, was stolen on Tuesday, October 9.

Police are warning the public that in the wrong hands these fireworks are dangerous and can have disastrous consequences.

Category four fireworks are for professional use only and have special ignition devices. They are not sold by retail outlets to the general public and should only be handled by trained people with a clear space of more than 50m.

The fireworks, which are three to four inches in diameter, are all marked with yellow labels reading ‘display firework’, ‘for display use only’ and ‘Vulcan’, which is the type of firework they are.

These fireworks did not have the ignition devices with them. The public are strongly urged not to try and light them in any way as igniting them incorrectly may cause serious harm or damage.

Chief Inspector Mark Harrison of Kent Police’s Partnership and Crime Reduction department said: "In the wrong hands these fireworks are dangerous and will cause serious harm.

"This category of firework is for professional use only and professional is exactly what it means, in the wrong hands not only will it cause serious injury to the person handling it but very likely to anybody nearby."

Anyone who has information or is offered fireworks of this type from unauthorised dealers, should contact North Kent Police on 01474 565097.