Family's firework terror on trick and treat night (From Worcester News)

Family's firework terror on trick and treat night

4:20pm Thursday 1st November 2007 in News By Alicia Kelly, @aliciakellyWN #worcsnews

A FAMILY were woken by "an almighty bang" when a firework was pushed through their letterbox on Halloween.

Police say they were alerted to 85 incidents of anti-social behaviour across Worcester, Droitwich, Malvern, Pershore and Evesham over halloween.

Three homes in two Kempsey roads were targeted.

In another incident, residents and firefighters dowsed a burning car which caught light after it was broken into and a firework set off inside.

Although the incidents were not all firework related, police have once again appealed for people to stay safe by attending organised displays.

Antony Brookes's home was one of two in Windmill Lane, Kempsey, to have a firework posted through the letterbox at around 10.30pm.

Mr Brookes said: "I heard an almighty bang.

"I thought it was the car out the back at first and then next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off."

The blast ripped a hole in a door curtain and damaged the door and Mr Brookes believes only the letterbox's draft excluder saved his home from catching fire.

He was angry the incident had upset his 75-year-old mother and 74-year-old father.

"If it had caught fire, this is the only way out," he said.

He added: "How would they like it if someone went into their property? What would their Mum and Dad say? They don't care today."

Just a hour earlier, firefighters were called to put out the burning Red Metro in Rookery Road.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she and her family had thrown water on the flames fearing the car could explode.

She said: "You're frightened it's going to blow."

"It was in flames and I got a kitchen extinguisher and put it through the door and then threw water over it.

"They reckon it was a firework.

"It's a bit scary."

Residents said blue and white paint was also daubed over a pathway connecting the two roads.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating and said: "Fireworks are a dangerous thing both for the people using them and those they are targeting.

"This is a prime example of what not to do with fireworks."

He said 85 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported between 8.30am yesterday and 8.30am today.

He added the number was down by four on last year, but was still well above the average of 47 incidents usually recorded on Wednesdays in October.

Anyone with any information should call police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.