Thugs hurl lit firework into a busy Plymouth shop
YOUNG thugs risked the lives of shoppers and staff by hurling a lit firework into a busy store, say police.
Dramatic CCTV footage has been released by officers investigating the "potentially lethal" offence which took place at the Co-operative Store in Duke Street, Devonport, at about 7pm on October 30.
Police are now hoping a teenage girl who was about to enter the store may have vital information about the culprits.
The footage shows a large gang of youths waiting outside the store in the minutes before the rocket was lit and seemingly aimed at the girl who was about to walk through the shop's front door.
The firework misses her by inches, racing past her and into the store where it struck an aisle and fell to the floor.
A second later it appears to re-ignite and smash into products, exploding and showering sparks across the aisle.
Pc Cher Dunbar, lead investigator, said: "For the staff and customers it was really quite distressing. One of the staff was heavily pregnant while another person suffered an asthma attack as a result of the firework going off."
In light of the recent death of a Bodmin woman, after a firework was shoved through her letterbox, Pc Dunbar stressed the seriousness of the incident.
She said: "Not only was there a potential for greater damage, the act itself could have had potentially lethal results."
The store was very busy with customers arriving and leaving in the minutes before the incident and police hope some of those shoppers will now come forward.
If you have information about the incident or recognise the girl shown, contact police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number ED/09/7681.
To view the footage, visit www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/video
39 Comments
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by thecarpenter, stoke
Friday, November 27 2009, 9:14AM
“it wasn't exactly busy was it? there was no-one anywhere near it when it went off.
It was a pretty classic prank though, shame they were all such little pussios that they ran off immediatly after chucking it. Ohh well. Oh and as for that comment sheila nade about rounding em up and sending them to afghanistan, literally think before you speak. You sound like you've got AIDS of the brain, or worse.”
by bettsy boop, demport
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 10:05AM
“haha how have u not caught anybody with that sort of cctv stupid donuts haha”
by chewer, devonport
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 7:21PM
“yes its not nice but these kids havnt got anything to do and some people with there coments ?...its not as bad as it used to be on bonfire night,when i was her age cars used 2 get lit 4 fun not just a firework,”
by anonymous, plymouth
Sunday, November 22 2009, 8:30PM
“For the person that made the very first comment, she is not fat and ugly or and idiot so keep your thoughts to your self as shes a good mate of mine and for the rest of you, it was not the girl running into the shop that chucked it neither. The police will sort it out soon enough, so stop having a mention and carry on with your life.”
by Nick, Plymouth
Saturday, November 21 2009, 3:50PM
“For once it was a half decent cctv picture. Shouldnt be too hard to track down the fat ugly bird in the white trousers should it. And as its devonport, maybe one of her half a dozen illegitimate children would recognise her”
by Vigilante Group, Plymouth
Saturday, November 21 2009, 12:48PM
“Roll Roll up, im of leaving this country soon. Not liking the future!!
So I urged everyone who is fed up with these numbnuts to come forward and start bringing the kids up like there parents should off - tuff love, if not its our countryys future!!!
P.S what stupid retard is proud to call Devonport "DEMPORT" clearly shows the extent of your education!!!”
by wot a joke, plymouth
Thursday, November 19 2009, 11:00PM
“oh my i have watched this video am i am shocked the girl walking into the shop are with the gang of kids wot they should be called which they are!!! prop is if any of these kids get caught they get away with it anyway...if they wont to play with fireworks and throw them do it in yr own back garden so u can hurt yr self!!!!! i think u lot need to grow up and yr parents need to get a grips of ya cuz looks like u get away with too much!!!”
by Shiela, Southway
Thursday, November 19 2009, 6:27AM
“Just think there are kids the same age dieing in Afganistan while these thugs roam the streets causing trouble. I say round them up stick them in a troop carrier & send them off to Afganistan lets see how brave they are. Then lets give them fireworks to throw at the Taliban see the smile wiped off their faces.”
by clare, demport
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 11:14PM
“lmfao geddon bey!”
by jeff plymouth, plymouth
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 9:59PM
“A similar incident was show on Utube and on one of the real life TV shows wonder if those youths were watching at the time .”