A WOMAN in Belfast has been treated in hospital for facial injuries after being struck by a firework that was aimed at PSNI officers.
The woman, aged in her 30s, sustained burns and swelling to her face following the incident in Belfast city centre on Monday night.
A person arrested in connection with the incident has since been released on bail.
Meanwhile, police are investigating a separate incident in which a firework was put through the letterbox of an elderly person's door on Tuesday night.
Following Monday night's incident, Superintendent Finola Dornan said officers from the South Belfast Local Policing Team were on patrol in the city centre when the firework was thrown at them.
"The firework missed the officers and instead hit a woman in her 30s, who was in the area at the time, and resulted in burns and swelling to her face," said Superintendent Dornan.
"Officers provided first aid at the scene, before the woman received medical treatment at hospital.
"Due to the swift action of local police, one person was arrested nearby on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault on police, possession of fireworks without a licence and possessing an offensive weapon in public."
'Fatal consequences'
Superintendent Dornan issued a warning over the use of fireworks as Halloween approaches.
Outside of public displays, fireworks were completely banned in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
Currently, anyone wishing to buy or use fireworks in the North must first successfully apply for a licence from the Department of Justice.
"Fireworks are dangerous. Their misuse can have a devastating and even fatal consequences," said Superintendent Dornan.
"My thoughts go out to the victim who was injured last night, in what was a very traumatic experience."
She added: "Police patrols will be out and about to deter anti-social behaviour across this Halloween period, as well as engage with and support local communities.
"Most people are responsible, but we need to be considerate and mindful of others when it comes to celebrating Halloween.'
'Intent to endanger life'
Meanwhile, at around 9.35pm on Tuesday, police received a report that young people had pushed a lit firework through the letterbox of a property in the Glasvey Court area of Twinbrook before fleeing.
The elderly occupant of the property was asleep in bed during the incident.
Fortunately, the firework did not fully ignite but did cause damage to the property.
A spokesperson for the PSNI appealed for information in relation to the incident and encouraged parents to speak to their children about the dangers of fireworks.
"If this firework had exploded, the end result could have been catastrophic," they said.
"As such, we are investigating this serious criminal act as attempted arson with intent to endanger life."
The spokesperson added: "Fireworks are dangerous. Their misuse can have devastating and even fatal consequences.
"Last night's unacceptable act was extremely traumatic for the vulnerable victim."
See More: Belfast, Fireworks, PSNI
