Snowball warning after window smashed

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YOUNGSTERS enjoying the snow have been warned anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

Police have urged children to play sensibly after unruly behaviour led to a window being broken off Woodrow North on Saturday (January 19).

Over the weekend Redditch officers received a total of eight complaints, all relating to youths throwing snowballs at properties across the borough.

Reports of buses being targeted have also been received by the Standard. One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had been travelling home on the 51 First bus service through Batchley and had witnessed snow balls being deliberately thrown at the driver's windscreen.

"Within seconds of pulling out of the bus station, a snowball was thrown at the back of it. Then as it made its way down Poplar Road two youths who couldn't have been more than 12 were throwing snowballs at the windscreen.

"If it had caused the driver to flinch or blocked his view, it could have been really dangerous."

A group of what appeared to be students were also seen on Tuesday (January 22) throwing snowballs at cars on Church Green East and pedestrians on Prospect Hill.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said although most were just having fun, some incidents had escalated.

"Children and youngsters have always had snowball fights and probably always will. While they are throwing them at each other and just having fun, I think most people would simply accept that it comes with the weather," he said.

"However, we will not tolerate people and property being targeted maliciously, potentially causing injury or damage. In such circumstances we will investigate and those responsible can expect to face the consequences of their actions."

A spokeswoman from Diamond said they had not received any complaints from passengers or drivers over the weekend. First bus were unavailable for comment.

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