More than 25 phone boxes have been targeted in attacks

Merseyside Police's major incident team has been brought in after explosions left one car destroyed, another six damaged, and more than 25 phone boxes vandalised.

Fireworks have also been launched in to a police station's inquiry office and a chip shop, causing considerable damage.

Investigators are attempting to establish whether there are any links between two explosions last weekend, and earlier incidents at a bar and a nightclub in Liverpool city centre.

The inquiry comes after Merseyside's chief constable, Norman Bettison, called for a ban on firework sales.

It appears that fireworks are also being used in connection with more serious criminal activities Detective Superintendent Russ Walsh

Mr Bettison wants new legislation introduced that will regulate the firework importation and their distribution in the UK.

Detective Superintendent Russ Walsh, who is heading the inquiry, said fireworks "in the wrong hands are a danger to the public".

"We are seeing a growing number of incidents where fireworks are being used to cause damage to telephone kiosks and post boxes," he said.

"This appears to be a national problem and not something which is confined to Merseyside.

"However, it now appears that fireworks are also being used in connection with more serious criminal activities."

The investigation is designed to complement high-profile police patrols and "disrupt criminal activity".

It comes after illegally distributed fireworks, worth an estimated �50,000, were seized from a house in north Liverpool last week, and the arrest of two teenagers, aged 14 and 16, on suspicion of firework misuse.

Merseyside Fire Service and trading standards officers have also teamed up with a responsible retailer scheme - "Good Guy" - to restrict firework sales, which nearly 80% of retailers have signed up to.