Chester family smoke-bombed on Christmas Day

Dec 31 2009 Chester Chronicle

A FAMILY had a frightening start to Christmas Day after an offender tried to shove a smoke bomb through their letter box.

Police are investigating the incident in Kynaston Drive, Saltney Ferry, at about 5am on December 25, which left Pauline Moran and her three children upset.

Daughter Becky Moran, 19, raised the alarm after smelling burning plastic at about 4am on December 25.

She woke mum Pauline, brother Craig, 21, and sister Katy, 14, who were all advised to get outside by the fire brigade which was when they discovered the smoke cannister by the front door.

Pauline said: “We were checking the plugs but couldn’t see any smoke billowing anywhere. The fire brigade said ‘Get everybody outside’ and when we opened the front door there was a smoke cannister.”

Crime scene investigators have taken away the smoke grenade for finger-printing. Footage from a CCTV camera is also being examined. The camera was installed because of three previous incidents when the family car had its windscreen and sunroof smashed and a tyre slashed.

Pauline, who has her own theory as to who is responsible, said: “It was quite upsetting really – happening on any day is one thing, but happening on Christmas Day makes it even worse.”

The family, who have been offered home security devices by police, have struggled to sleep since the incident.