Family speak of firework terror

The family, who have two young children and too fearful to be named, say a higher police presence is needed in the area after a rise in anti-social behaviour The young parents returned to there Drumachose park home last Friday night to find vandals had attempted to push a fully lit firework into their hallway. Graffiti had also been sprayed on a wall close to their house. Dad of two says his partner has had to tape up their letter box for fear of further attacks.

"This is just the tip of the ice-berg," the young dad told the Sentinel, "It is not just us that are suffering. One of our neighbours is being tortured too.

"They even run about with black bin bags over their faces and throw fireworks at people walking in the estate. Something has got to be done stop it because at the minute the police aren't."

"We have three children here and my eldest is afraid to go to bed at night. They let off bangers until the early hours of the morning, and it's not just the weekends either, it's every night of the week."

The family contacted police at 9pm on Friday night after graffiti was sprayed on a wall beside their home. Officers called at their home the next morning at 9am to discuss the incident.

"I was told that no-one would be able to call out that night because of an accident. I really think the police should be making more time for tackling these sorts of issues because it's just getting out of hand at the minute."

UUP Alderman Jack Rankin said there had been a worrying rise in the abuse of fireworks running up to halloween.

"At ten to nine on Monday morning I was walking on the Backburn Path and school children were letting off fireworks. This is disgraceful.

"This year anti-social behaviour associated with fireworks has taken place in certain areas of the town. However recent comments made by ACC Kerr of the PSNI state that the PSNI will be taking a robust approach to tackling the misuse of fireworks.

"I would therefore urge parents in our Borough to make sure they know what their children are doing in the lead up to Halloween."

UUC Councillor Leslie Cubitt appealed to anyone with information on the misuse of fireworks to contact police immediately.

"I would appeal to everyone in the borough to pass any information on to police regarding those who use fireworks illegally and dangerously."

A PSNI spokesperson said police were aware of the "concern" of residents living in the Drumachose Park area and warned about the dangers of fireworks.

The PSNI spokesperson said; "Police are aware of concerns from residents in the Drumachose Park area, especially in relation to fireworks and general anti-social behaviour. The Neighbourhood Team have spoken with a number of young people and their parents about their behaviour and patrols will be focused in the area over the coming weeks. A report has been submitted to the PPS in relation to one youth who was caught with fireworks in the area last weekend.

"Police would urge parents to speak to their children about the dangers associated with fireworks. A lit firework has the potential to cause serious injury to others and damage to property."