Police investigating after smoke bombs let off at Vistas
FIREWORKS were let off on the upper deck of Vistas Cafe, alarming staff who saw smoke but no fire.
Police are appealing for information after smoke bombs – a kind of firework which produces smoke upon ignition – were set off at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, while the cafe was open.
Cafe owner Nic Percy said staff had been surprised when plumes of smoke suddenly appeared, especially as they could not identify the cause.
‘We didn’t know what had caused it, I was outside and suddenly saw a lot of smoke. I thought the cafe was on fire so I checked the kitchens but there was nothing wrong and the smoke soon disappeared, it must have been blown away with the wind.’
‘It was only when we went to clear the decking about an hour later that we found evidence of firework or flare activity.’
Mr Percy said that, fortunately, the damage had not been too significant.
However, the act itself was irresponsible, inappropriate and could have ended up a lot worse.
‘It is a stupid thing to do, especially on another person’s property. There has been some damage and now it is up to the police to see if they can recognise who did it.’
‘We have CCTV all around the place. They shouldn’t be doing something like that – there could have been a child down below where it [the smoke bomb] fell.’
n Anyone who has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact PC 50 Oliver Baxendale on 725111 or call CrimeStoppers Anonymous on 0800 555 111.
