A group of youths seriously injured a teenager and a police officer in a Bonfire Night Attack.
On Saturday November 5 at around 10:25pm officers were carrying out patrols in the Southwick area of Sunderland when they stopped two males, aged 14 and 17, on Carlisle Terrace. While police were speaking with them, a group of males appeared nearby on Davison Terrace and began aiming rockets towards the two teenagers and the officers.
The group launched several rockets, one of which struck the 14-year-old and injured his upper arm. It then ricocheted onto one of the officers, exploding on his side and causing serious burns to his arm and torso. Both also have hearing loss and possibly perforated ear drums.
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A firework also exploded near his face, but he was not seriously injured. During the incident, the officers and youths took cover behind a police vehicle which had its windows smashed.
Further rocks were launched toward them despite it being obvious that injuries had been suffered. The offenders fled as further police units arrived on the scene, and an investigation has been launched immediately 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."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, or using the Tell us Something page on Northumbria Police's website, quoting reference NP-20221105-1297. You can also submit dashcam footage direct to the force's website here: Dashcam : Online Services : Northumbria Police.
Alternatively you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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