Fireworks 'thrown at cars' during anti social gatherings

By David Hunter

Police in the North West say people are being put at risk by young people throwing fireworks at pedestrians and cars. 

Groups of up to 40 or 50 youths have gathered in the Central Drive area of Creggan on a number of occasions in recent weeks. 

Councillor Kevin Campbell says it's causing serious damage. "We've had a load of reports about incidents along Central Drive and the Creggan here" he said. 

"We had an incident where a young girl took a fit because of one of these firework displays. 

"I'm appealing to parents. I think it's very very important that you sit your children down and find out where they're at and what they're doing. 

"There's all the potential here for someone to lose their hand or lose and eye, or even worse again. It may be fun to them but it's certainly not fun to younger children or the elderly in this community."

Foyle Chief Inspector Alan Hutton has promised action against those buying, selling and using illegal fireworks in the North West. 

He told QRadio news " Derry itself is known as the number one destination for Halloween, this is a seasonal issue and police are working to deal with it. 

"Unfortunately we have these other actions that people take part in, but it's not just here in the North West it's across the whole of Northern Ireland. 

"We would ask people to think through carefully what they're doing and the impact it has on those around them.

"We will be taking action, we'll have out patrols in the Creggan area and we will be taking action against anybody who is buying, selling, using or setting off illegal fireworks in a public place, or without the proper licence." 

Anger in Creggan over the use of illegal fireworks @BBCRadioFoyle @HighlandNews @qnewsdesk @markyptweets @DerryNow @derryjournal pic.twitter.com/R3C0Mwt6LX

— Derry SinnFein (@DerrySinnFein) September 22, 2017

In 2015 the department of health reported 15 people as attending emergency care department's on Halloween with a firework related injury.

The majority of those presenting were men, and the most common injury was to the wrist or hand area. 

Health officials warn the actual number of people injured would be significantly higher as many people wouldn't attend A&E, and the figures only cover the main Halloween period.

Derry City and Strabane District Councillor Colly Kelly also condemned the actions. 

He said "I think it's important we identify who's selling these fireworks to young people in our community. They're a menace to society, they're as bad as drug dealers. 

"People need to know. If there's any information, report these people. Report it to the authorities and if you're not happy with that, bring it to the community and voluntary sectors.

"Bring them to us and we'll dispose of them."

One man took to social media to vent his frustrations at the incident. 

"Last night was bad enough with the young ones throwing them in the chippy door and then throwing them after my elderly sister as she went up the lane from the shops!

"Then they threw one at a young girls feet and she took an asthma/panic attack and an ambulance had to be called but that still didn't stop them!" He wrote.