University firework attack the latest in a spree to hit Northampton this week

A group were caught on camera shooting fireworks from the back of a car in Henry Bird Way in one of the dangerous pranks carried out this week.

Yesterday morning, video footage emerged of a group of youths throwing and launching the explosive objects at passing crowds of students at the Waterside campus.

People were forced to run for cover to avoid being hit by the fireworks in the main thoroughfare through the student village.

Two people were left with injuries, meaning the hooded culprits are currently wanted on an assault charge.

But recent reports suggest the Waterside Campus attack was just the latest in a worrying spree of dangerous pranks committed over the past week.

At around 6am on Friday, November 2, a group of men pulled up in Henry Bird Way before launching fireworks out the boot of a car directly at a house.

"They were getting them out of their car boot and running in another direction letting them off and coming back," said an eyewitness.

"They were doing it in in teams and it hit some people's cars.

"It woke everyone up. You could hear people shouting out of the flat windows. It petrified everyone."

One St Giles Street business owner said that, when she arrived to open her shop at around 5am on the same morning, a gang of five men were trawling the street throwing fireworks at shop windows.

"They were just chucking fireworks left, right and centre," she said.

"They were throwing them at shops, walls, buildings.

A student ducks for cover as a firework explodes above the heads of people at the Waterside campus.

"I heard they were then seen later throwing them out of a car."

Another eyewitness in the St Giles area said a group has twice targetted Hazelwood Road, once on Friday morning and once a matter of hours after the Tuesday morning university attacks.

On both occasions fireworks were thrown under cars by a group of people.

"They may not have damaged something," said the eyewitness. "But if you do throw something under a car and you get the petrol tank, you have a different scenario on your hands."

A hooded person throws a firework into the crowds at the Waterside campus.

Police believe the incidents are not linked even though they all appear to bear similar hallmarks.

Neighbourhood policing team sergeant Rebecca Izzard, said: “Fireworks can be fun and enjoyable to watch, but they can cause serious damage if they are not handled correctly.

"During this time of year we carry out prevention work and extra patrols to remind people of this and minimise disorder and support our communities.

“Sadly, this year there have been some isolated reports of anti-social behaviour and nuisance in the town, caused by inappropriate use of fireworks. Officers attended numerous locations following these reports, but people had dispersed and no individuals were located.

“Thankfully, we are not aware of any reports of serious injury caused by them. Nonetheless, it's important that people are aware of the legal restrictions and safety advice surrounding fireworks and the consequences of acting thoughtlessly.

“If you break the law on fireworks you could be sent to prison for up to six months or receive a fine.”