Although the vast majority of people are law-abiding, it is an unfortunate fact of life that there are some who get up to every trick in the book to take advantage of the good nature or gullibility of others.

And there are some who think nothing of breaking the law and putting the public in danger if it will help to line their own pockets.

Some of those have been brought to justice in the Keighley and Bingley areas thanks to the joint efforts of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, West Yorkshire Police, the Vehicle Inspectorate and Customs and Excise.

They are to be congratulated on the success of their blitz, which unearthed six unroadworthy cars for sale as well as rogue workmen posing as council and British Gas employees. There is something rather sinister about individuals who wear bogus uniforms, carry bogus signs and cloak themselves in the respectability of officialdom.

Perhaps the most disappointing trophies of the campaign were the 60 illegal fireworks seized in Shipley. It is appalling that there are still shopkeepers prepared to sell explosives of this sort despite all the publicity there has been about them.

They not only cause a great deal of alarm to local residents in areas where they are set off, but they are also highly dangerous to anyone tempted to handle them.

What is encouraging is that the fireworks seized from Shipley were apparently the only illegal ones found among the 25 retailers visited. Most shopkeepers, it seems, are obeying the law. Perhaps if more offenders are prosecuted and tougher penalties imposed, the rest will finally get the message.