Weston police issue snowballs warning after arrests

Police in Weston-super-Mare have warned of the dangers of throwing snowballs following a number of injuries and arrests in the town.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with a public order offence after snowballs were thrown from a multi-storey car park into a busy street.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of affray after an attack on someone who threw a snowball at his head.

And a woman suffered concussion when a snowball hit her on the head.

'Mostly ice'

Avon and Somerset Police said the 17-year-old boy would appear before a youth court in North Somerset on 12 January charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress.

A spokesman said the woman who was hit on the head on Wednesday had since been released from hospital.

He said the snowball was thrown by youths from a passing car and was mostly ice, and so was very hard.

"We are in the process of trying to track them down using CCTV," he added.

The man arrested on suspicion of affray has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Sgt Pete Land, from Weston's town centre team, said: "We want everyone to have a great time this Christmas and hopefully we might finally get a white Christmas.

"However, please remember that sometimes being hit by a snowball is generally not that well received.

"It is an offence to throw objects or missiles on to or across a highway, whether you are in the street or on or in a building, or even a motor vehicle."