Teen gets rocket from police

AN IRRESPONSIBLE teenager has been slapped with an £80 fine after aiming fireworks at a family, including two toddlers and a baby, in Minster on FridayHalloween night.

The two sisters and four children were in the recreation ground off Thorne Road in the village at 6.15pm on Friday when a gang of teens set off a rocket across the park in front of them.

One of the mums shouted to the group teens to be careful as they had kids with them and a moment later a firework came shooting across the group towards them.

The teenagers started laughing and one of the mums called the police.

It later emerged county council community warden Steve Taylor had stopped a group of five kids earlier that evening and passed their details to officers.

Sgt Phil Morley, in charge of Kent Police's Safer Autumn campaign for Thanet, said: "My colleagues visited the youths' addresses and a 16-year-old admitted the offence when interviewed in front of his parents. The offence of setting off a firework in public comes under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 and cost him £80. People need to be aware they face arrest or on-the-spot fine. The misuse of fireworks is both dangerous and irresponsible."

A team of officers dedicated to dealing with antisocial behaviour has been patrolling neighbourhoods and responding to reports that have so far included fireworks offences and underage drinking and checks on licensed premises.

Cops warnare warning they will not hesitate in making arrests or issuing further tickets if anyone demonstrates such idiocy during the coming few weekscopies the firework teen's actions in the coming weeks.

Sgt Morley added: "Do not forget that should people behave irresponsibly, they could be breaking the law and end up being prosecuted with a criminal record as a result."

For more information about neighbourhood policingin your area, or the Safer Autumn campaign, call Sgt Morley at Margate police station on 01843 222207 or email philip.morley@kent.pnn.police.uk.