Police officer and two teens injured in firework attack in Sunderland

WARNING - PICTURE OF INJURY BELOW

Northumbria Police has condemned the behaviour of a group of youths responsible for seriously injuring a teenager and a police officer in a Bonfire Night attack.

On Saturday at around 10.25pm, officers were in the Southwick area carrying out patrols when they stopped two males, aged 14 and 17 on Carlisle Terrace.

While police were speaking with the pair, a group of around 10 other males appeared nearby on Davison Terrace, and began aiming rockets towards the two teenagers and the officers.

The group launched several rockets, with one striking the 14-year-old and injuring his upper arm. It then ricocheted onto one of the officers, exploding on his side, causing serious burns to his arm and torso. The officer and the boy also have hearing loss and possible perforated ear drums.

The other boy had a firework explode near his face but was thankfully not seriously injured.

During the incident the officers and the two youths managed to take cover behind a police vehicle which had its windows smashed.

Further rockets were launched toward them despite it being obvious that one officer and one of the boys had been struck and injured.

As further police units arrived on scene the offenders fled.

An investigation was immediately launched in a bid to identify and arrest those responsible.

Chief Superintendent Neil Hutchison said:

“This is absolutely disgraceful behaviour and we will not tolerate it.

“Bonfire Night is not an excuse to carry out dangerous acts of violence. An extensive investigation is now underway to ensure those responsible face the consequences.

“This senseless attack has left one young person with a serious and potentially life changing injury to his ear, while our officer has serious burns and also potential hearing damage. Thankfully the other young person and the other officers present were not seriously injured. I wish to offer all those hurt my best wishes for a full recovery.

“Officers are in the area conducting enquiries including reviewing CCTV footage and door-to-door enquiries.

“Today (Monday) we are asking for anyone who thinks they have information about what happened to get in touch. Any detail, no matter how small, could really help.

“We believe the group involved have also been responsible for other pockets of disorder carried out that night around the Southwick area. We’re asking for anyone with information to get in touch and are especially keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the area, between the times of 6pm and 10.40pm, as this could really aid our investigation.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said:

“This mindlessness attack is hard to comprehend. Officers burnt, young people injured, police cars off the road. There is absolutely no justification or excuses for any of this.

"If anyone was in the Southwick area during these times and has any footage or information do contact the police. People should be able to enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and sensible manner, not end the night with serious injuries, and no officer should come to work and end their shift in hospital with injuries like this – it’s disgraceful.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, or using the Tell us Something page on our website, quoting reference NP-20221105-1297

You can also submit dashcam footage direct to the police website here: Dashcam : Online Services : Northumbria Police

Alternatively you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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