YOBS blasted lit fireworks into a Co-op full of customers before shooting the fireworks at cars, leaving staff and customers terrified.

A group of boys, all wearing dark hoodies to cover their faces, shot the fireworks through the front door of the shop, in Nevendon Road, Wickford, at around 8.20pm on Tuesday.

The gang then proceeded to shoot more fireworks at cars as they drove past the Co-op shop.

Essex Police has confirmed they are investigating, while Co-op bosses emphasised that nobody was injured and there was minimal damage.

Witnesses described the store as being left “full of smoke”.

One driver, who asked only to be named as Will, said: “I was annoyed with them for being so stupid.

“Throwing fireworks into a shop full of people was bad enough, but at cars on a busy road was ridiculously dangerous and could have caused a serious accident.

“There wasn’t any damage to my car, it went off in the road beside it as I drove past. I know there was damage to the floor in the Co-op though, there were scorch marks and the place was full of smoke.

“Parents in the area - if your kids come home smelling like gunpowder, you might want to give them a slap. Police called, obviously.”

The group of boys fled the scene and no arrests have been made at this stage.

A police spokesman said: “We received a call shortly before 8.20pm reporting fireworks thrown into a shop.

“No-one was injured but damage was caused to the shop.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“Please quote incident 1253 of 25 October.”

Chelmsford Star, the company that owns the Co-op, added: “We can confirm that a small firecracker-style firework was put through our front door on Tuesday night.

“There was no damage, except for discolouration that could be easily cleaned, and no one was hurt, however the police were informed.”