A young family has been left “absolutely terrified” after a gang of thugs launched fireworks at their home in West Lothian.
Kelly-Marie Docherty, 39, was left cowering with her partner, Mark Flemming, and two of their children, aged ten and 11, after their house in Whitburn was targeted by youths on Tuesday night.
The mum had been sitting downstairs with Mark while their kids played upstairs when blasts hit their home at around 7.30pm.
Shocking footage captured by the family’s ring doorbell shows fireworks being launched at the property on the village’s Whitdale Place from a park across the road. In the video, multiple fireworks are let off seconds apart before one of the devices crashes into the upstairs area property – causing sparks to erupt over the couple’s driveway.
A second firework can then be seen narrowly missing the family’s front door as it exploded around a metre away from the front entrance.
Nobody was injured, however, the windscreen of Kelly-Marie’s car was left scorched by a firework. Images from the aftermath of the chaos show dark dents imprinted on the windscreen, which will now need to be replaced.
Recounting the terrifying ordeal, Kelly-Marie told the Record: “It was terrifying. The bangs were extremely loud so I instantly knew that they were close to the house.
“Our neighbour started blasting their horn to warn us that the fireworks were actually being lobbed at our house. I went straight on my ring doorbell and was left horrified to see sparks flying around everywhere right outside.
“As soon as the kids realised that the house was being targeted, they came running downstairs, they were absolutely terrified. We have no idea who did this and we have no clue why anybody would want to do this. It was horrifying.”
The terrifying incident, which lasted around ten minutes, was only brought to an end when the yobs were chased away by Kelly-Marie’s neighbour.
She said: “Thankfully our neighbour bravely came out and chased the group away. If they didn’t I don’t know how long it would have gone on for. The whole thing lasted around ten minutes, but it felt much longer, it was horrific.”
Kelly-Marie said the damage will cost the family between £400 and £500.
She added: “Thankfully, our windows were closed and we were all indoors so we didn’t suffer any injuries. It was quite early on in the night, we could have been out and arriving home when it all took place.
“I dread to think what situation we’d be in today if one of us happened to be outside. The kids have been left badly shaken by it all and they keep asking if the group will be back again to do more.”
It is the second firework-related incident to take place in the area within just a matter of days after the explosives were launched from a moving car in Livingston on Sunday. Video footage shows locals ducking for cover after pyros were shot from the vehicle on Kenilworth Rise.
Kelly-Marie said: “Clearly, there needs to be a ban on fireworks in West Lothian. The incidents in Whitburn and Livingston prove just how dangerous they can be when they land in the wrong hands.”
In 2022, the Scottish Government gave local authorities new powers to designate firework control zones (FCZ) following a major riot in Dundee. Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow City Council have been the only local authorities to announce bans in areas of both cities so far. The rules are enforced by Police Scotland.
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said: “ We would discourage such reckless behaviour and would encourage anyone with relevant information to please provide this to Police Scotland. Discussions with West Lothian Community Safety Partners concluded that there was no requirement to support a Council promoted control zone at this time however this will be monitored for the future.
“For many years, West Lothian Community Safety Partnership has used local knowledge and intelligence to help provide the resources needed for firework and bonfire safety. The partnership will continue to use all current preventative measures in an educative and informative way by sharing collective safety messages and promote licensed events to all residents and businesses to help keep communities safe.”
The Record has approached Police Scotland for comment.
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