Officer burned in flare attack

A police officer who was injured after a maritime flare was put through his letterbox has described the experience as terrifying.

Stuart Sutherland, 41, was hurt as he removed the device from his home in Golspie, in Sutherland.

His wife and two children evacuated the house after the incident in the early hours of Thursday.

A spokesperson for Northern Constabulary said it had been a "potentially disastrous incident".

Constable Sutherland said: "This was obviously a terrifying experience for myself and my family and I would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.

"We are extremely shaken up by the incident and are just so relieved that circumstances did not turn out to be much worse. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured."

Constable Sutherland has served for 17 years with Northern Constabulary and has been based in Golspie for the last five years.

Front door

His wife was woken shortly before 0600 GMT on Thursday after hearing a noise from the hallway.

It was then discovered that the hand-held flare had been put through the letterbox, causing damage to the hallway and front door.

Constable Sutherland threw the device from the house, sustaining minor burns to his hands.

The family went to stay with neighbours following the incident.

Northern Constabulary said its investigations were continuing and urged anyone with information to come forward.