Several cars have been blown up outside police stations

The Merseyside force set up the team to deal with the increasing number of firework attacks in the county.

Explosives have been thrown into police stations, cars have been blown up and phone boxes have been targeted in the past 12 months.

Chief Constable Norman Bettison has been heavily involved in calling for a national ban on fireworks.

The Firework Incident Research Safety Team (FIRST) is a joint venture with the Fire Service and will monitor, track and tackle the issues surrounding the problem.

Firework misuse is a significant problem in the UK Ch Supt Paul Forrester

Explosions include a car that was blown up near the 051 club, another near Tuebrook police station and another attack when a nail bomb was thrown into a pub in Walton.

After each incident police said it was a miracle nobody had been killed.

Ch Supt Paul Forrester, Head of Force Operations said: "Firework misuse is a significant problem in the UK with an estimated 20% of sales coming from the illegal market.

"This results in a proliferation of incidents representing a particularly dangerous form of anti-social behaviour in local communities.

"Merseyside Trading Standards, Fire and Police services are acknowledged to have set a best practice in dealing with firework- related issues."