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VIDEO - Smoke bombs set off in Thurso Hogmanay crowd





Police sought youths who set off flares among the crowds at Thurso Hogmanay street party.
Police sought youths who set off flares among the crowds at Thurso Hogmanay street party.

POLICE officers rushed into crowds of partygoers to extinguish flares that were lit and filled parts of the main area with smoke at Thurso Hogmanay Street Party.

Youths were seen setting off a number of the devices and chucking them on the ground which emitted green smoke causing people to move back from the pyrotechnics.

It is thought at least three smoke bombs were lit among large crowds of people.

The first was activated at 11.40pm near the front of the makeshift stage erected across the street to accommodate the band. One policeman dived in and grabbed it from the ground and threw it into the grounds of the adjoining St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church.

Nobody was injured but event organisers Hogmanay in Thurso (HIT) reported one reveller was forced to use an asthma inhaler after being exposed to a plume of smoke.

HIT chairwoman Fiona Robertson-Hindle said she has given a statement to police while other committee members and stewards are being asked about what they saw.

“The main thing is nobody was injured as a result of the incident,” said Mrs Robertson-Hindle.

“At first we thought they were flares, but we later discovered they were smoke bombs. “At the time we didn’t know exactly what they were when they first went off – we did panic for a moment. “It is something that we are not happy about.”

Princes Street hosted around 1500 people for the street party.
Princes Street hosted around 1500 people for the street party.

Caithness area inspector Nick Clasper yesterday said it is fortunate nobody was hurt and is appealing for witnesses to come forward to identify those responsible.

He said: “Thankfully nobody was injured as a result of this reckless and dangerous act.

“Whilst those responsible may have thought this was a bit of fun, it could have had serious consequences for the crowd who were gathered to celebrate Hogmanay.

“I would encourage anyone who has any information to contact police in Thurso on 101."


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