Snowballs ‘a serious crime’

Police have been slammed by their own bosses after logging snowball throwing as serious violent crime.

A total of six incidents were recorded across Greater Manchester during January’s big freeze but no-one was injured and no arrests made.

It is believed the incidents were classed as serious violent crimes, which normally relate to murder, rape and injury with a weapon, as snowballs could been seen as weapons if thrown at someone.

However, the force’s Chief Constable Peter Fahy criticised his own officers for failing to show common sense. He said that throwing a snowball was not a violent crime but the culture at GMP was to play it safe.