Aldi thieves set firework off inside store in 'smoke grenade' attack
WATCH: John Culverhouse doesn't agree with the calls for loud firework displays to be banned
GB NEWS
Police have issued a plea for help after a gang of youths set off a firework inside an Aldi store as part of a scheme to steal an in-store display.
Emergency services descended on a branch of the supermarket on Chester Street in Flint, North Wales, after shoppers reported seeing a so-called "smoke grenade" blast inside.
The smoke forced police and the fire brigade to rush to Aldi to reports of a "theft and public order incident".
One mother, who was in the Aldi store with her children during the incident, praised her eldest for helping a man stay calm.
The smoke forced police and the fire brigade to rush to Aldi to reports of a 'theft and public order incident'
GETTY
Another parent reported a frightening encounter near the store, saying: "There was a group of teenage lads who threw a firework near us and by my children in their pram.
"It wasn't far from Aldi when we were walking home - absolutely fuming."
But North Wales Police said the Aldi youths' plan was misguided as display boxes in stores do not contain real fireworks.
The authorities have promised to identify and visit the perpetrators - with the force putting out a public plea for help.
MORE FROM WALES:
The force has said any witnesses to the Aldi incident are urged to contact the police
A spokesman for the force said on Saturday: "We hope everyone enjoyed the fireworks display in Flint last night.
"One not so enjoyable was from a group of youths who set off a firework in a store so they could steal the fireworks display.
"Also, the issue with doing these things in your own community is we know who you are.
"Look forward to a knock on the door later."
The chaos in Aldi was just one of a number of anti-social incidents which plagued North Wales over the Halloween weekend.
Their warning to the group of youths came after the force received 57 calls in the previous 24 hours, with nine related to anti-social behaviour.
Elsewhere in Flint, residents reported youths haphazardly launching fireworks around the town centre before and after a major fireworks display at Flint Castle.
And one homeowner shared doorbell camera footage of a youngster using a toy Viking axe to destroy an inflatable Halloween display - which has also been reported to the police.
Similar issues were reported in nearby Holywell, where youths were setting off fireworks in the town's high street.
Police addressed one perpetrator directly, saying: "The balaclava does nothing for you when we've known you since you were 9 years old... See you later on."
The force said any witnesses to the Aldi incident are urged to contact the police on 101, quoting reference number 24000929895.
You may like
