A 14-year-old boy has been injured after a firework which was thrown at him exploded on his chest and face.
Police say he’s lucky to not have lost his sight.
They say they have carried out ten stop and searches for fireworks directly linked to this incident in east Antrim.
It comes as police issued warnings to parents of children in the Larne and Carrickfergus areas, that they were handling fireworks.
“I can’t show you the other injuries to a 14-year-old young man as a result of someone throwing a firework at him. His mother has given us permission to share this photograph with you. This young guy is so lucky he hasn’t lost his vision or his hands as the firework exploded on his chest and face. I do believe the only reason he hasn’t sustained serious injuries to his face is because he put his hands up to protect himself,” said a police spokesperson,
Police say handling fireworks is reckless and dangerous.
“We have CCTV footage of the incident and are working to identify people involved, indeed we have already identified some people in possession of fireworks from that footage. When we identify you, you will be interviewed and we will seek prosecutions via the courts. My team and I have carried out 10 stop and searches for fireworks directly linked to this incident,” added the spokesperson.
And police are appealing for the help of the public in tracing who is selling fireworks.
“I am appealing to the local community to help us. Do you know someone selling fireworks? Do you know where young people are getting them? This is not a problem we can fix ourselves we need to work with the community. If you don’t wish to speak to us directly then please contact Crimestoppers on 0800555111 and pass the information via them. Help us make your community safer before another young person is injured,” added the spokesperson.
Children have been putting themselves and others in danger by setting off fireworks at ASDA petrol station in Ballyclare. Groups of around 30 young people have been terrorising residents with their anti-social behaviour in the Ballyclare War Memorial Park, the Six Mile Leisure Centre and Asda car parks.