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A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life today after being hit by a distress flare normally used by the military or sailors.
The boy, who has been put into a coma by doctors, was walking along Chatteris Avenue in Romford on Saturday with his mother, father and baby sister, when he was struck by the flare.
Officers believe the family was deliberately targeted. The boy has severe internal injuries.
Detective Inspector David Cavanagh appealed for witnesses saying the boy's father had heard a "whooshing" sound and then he and the boy were knocked off their feet.
He said of the flare: "To fire it, you hold it and have to take off a cap, and there's a pin like a hand grenade, and a trigger. It's designed to fly three to five hundred yards in the air.
"It's not something that has gone off by accident. Somebody must know who fired this. We need to find who was responsible."
Any witnesses or anyone with information can call Havering CID at Romford Police Station on 01708 779197 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (2)
Dirty Harry; an apt name indeed however you myopic comment fails to note that the British police have been polled and have no wish to be armed. Sensible people do not arm themselves without thinking about the consequences.
The causes of violence need to be addressed rather than starting a criminal arms race. As for your thoughts on London, Birmingham is not exactly close, do you not think?
- Alex Power, London, UK, 30/11/2009 23:43
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People say the new movie "Harry Brown" is far fetched or that is misrepresents "real" London. When are going to arm our Police, when are we going to punish violent crime with great severity, when is "life" going to mean "life". Our society is slowly falling apart.
- Dirty Harry, Birmingham, UK, 16/11/2009 18:40
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