TEENAGERS are risking their lives by setting off fireworks from their hands in woodland and even firing them at each other.

A group of two boys and two girls were seen in Grove Woods car park, in Rayleigh, standing by a car and igniting the explosives.

The area has seen firework problems annually with some youths having “battles” by setting them off towards each other, but Sergeant Steve Joynes, from Rochford’s neighbourhood policing team, said this year the problems have started earlier.

He said they risked killing themselves, or someone else.

He said: “For years we have had children setting fire to things and sometimes throwing aerosol cans in to the fires and that can kill because if they explode, the metal goes everywhere.

“Last year we had really quite a good firework time, but this year they have started early.

“It’s our main concern that the kids would look to set them off against each other and almost have battles with each other. It could kill them.”

Police are trying to trace the teenagers, who are believed to be about 17 or 18 years old.

Police are working with Essex Fire to get the safety message out to children, with school liaison officers going to schools to raise awareness of the dangers.