YOUTHS are being warned to stop throwing missiles at passing traffic before their dangerous games lead to a serious accident.
In the last week, there have been 22 incidents of youths throwing items at moving traffic reported to police in the south Durham division.
Motorists have complained of youths throwing stones, eggs, bricks, bottles, conkers and sods of earth at passing vehicles, mostly in the Bishop Auckland area.
There have been similar reports from Crook, Evenwood and Howden le Wear.
On one occasion, a woman driver was travelling through Etherley Dene when a youth shot a ball bearing from an airgun at her car.
Inspector Simon Orton, of Bishop Auckland police, warned youngsters that if their actions led to an accident, they could be charged with criminal damage to vehicles, assault or even manslaughter.
He said: "This is a particularly dangerous sport and the consequences could be serious or fatal, they have to consider the devastation that could be caused.
"They will be held responsible for their actions."
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