POLICE have confirmed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding an apparent firework attack outside the home of the parents of disgraced footballer Adam Johnson.

The inquiry was opened after after Johnson’s sister, Faye, posted online video footage of an incident outside the home of his parents, Sonia and David, in Castle Eden, east Durham.

In it a man can be seen driving up to the home in a Vauxhall Corsa. He is seen approaching the property and crouching behind a wall and having a look around.

He then returns to the vehicle and lights the firework before throwing it through the driver's window and speeding off.

The family, were made aware of the incident when their dogs started barking and checked the CCTV.

Faye posted the footage from a CCTV camera on her Facebook account and wrote: “Anyone recognise this man? If so message me with any info.”

“Early hours Saturday 30th December around 12:15 am this man threw a firework towards my parents house in Castle Eden.

“Horrendous to watch someone attempt something like this when my family are inside also young children sleeping.

“Thanks to the dogs alerting us which lead us to watch the CCTV.

“So if anyone has any info at all it would be much appreciated as I would just like to know why he did this?”

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: “Police are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour which took place overnight at about 12:20am on December 30 outside of an address in Castle Eden, Hartlepool.

“The suspect, who was driving a Vauxhall Corsa lit a firework which landed on the road.

“Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The former Sunderland, Manchester City, Middlesbrough and England midfielder Adam Johnson is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for child sex offences.

He was found guilty and sentenced at Bradford Crown Court in March 2016.

Johnson is said to have been given a new Black Cats kit for Christmas and wore it while playing football inside. He has reportedly bragged to fellow inmates he could be back playing professional football next year.

Police have urged anyone with information in connection with the alleged firework incident to contact 101 quoting reference 173 of December 30.