POLICE in Swindon have failed to issue a single on-the-spot fine to yobs who cause terror by hurling fireworks, new figures reveal.

Officers can now impose fixed penalty notices for misuse of fireworks but in the first year since getting this power the force has not handed out one to a troublemaker.

Ex-Home Secretary David Blunkett trumpeted £80 fines as the solution to the misery inflicted on householders around Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

But more than half of forces 22 out of 43 in England and Wales failed to hand out any fixed penalty notices.

Opponents of the penalties claim officers were too tied up in red tape to enforce the legislation.

Police must fill in the fixed-penalty notices with facts such as the correct fireworks code.

Swindon Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar, said: "Swindon Police and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour.

"Clearly, the irresponsible use of fireworks falls within this type of behaviour.

"Penalty Notices for Disorder were introduced in Wiltshire in March 2004 but only contained one firework offence.

"New legislation, namely The Fireworks Regulations 2004. was introduced in the latter part of 2004.

"The additional firework offences created by this legislation was only incorporated into the Penalty Notices for Disorder Scheme in October 2004.

"We had little opportunity to prepare for use of these new powers with Bonfire Night only weeks away."