Emergency services issue appeal after arson incidents across West Lindsey

Emergency services in Lincolnshire are aware of a number of deliberate fires across West Lindsey in the last fortnight, and are warning that deliberate fires and other anti-social behaviour incidents are treated very seriously.
Police appeal stock image.Police appeal stock image.
Police appeal stock image.

Deliberate fires in the last fortnight include:

• A Seat Ibiza deliberately set on fire on Sandsfield Lane, Gainsborough, reported at 12.47am on April 10.

If you have information, call 101 quoting incident 16 of April 10.

• A vehicle was alight in Sandsfield Lane, Gainsborough, reported at around 9.50pm on April 20.

The vehicle was a Ford Transit Connect.

Police officers have attended and spoken to the vehicle owner. Officers continue to engage in and around the Sandfield Road area.

There is mention by the victim that a car had been vandalised in the area a week before.

If you have information, call 101 quoting incident 465 of April 20.

• Lincolnshire Police are investigating a suspected arson after 9 Artic Trailers were damaged by fire in Learoyd Road, Hemswell Cliff.

This was reported at around 5am on April 21.

If you have information, call 101 quoting incident 35 of April 21

A fire at Caenby Cliff, reported at around 8.10pm on April 21, believed to have been started deliberately.

If you have information, call 101 quoting incident 422 of April 21

• Three vehicles on fire in Trinity Street, Gainsborough, reported at 2.22am on April 22.

The cars on fire were a Hyundai, Golf and Peugeot.

If you have information, call 101 quoting incident 18 of April 22.

Police say they are not treating the fires as a series but are considering any links between the incidents.

Inspector Gary Brockie, from Lincolnshire Police in West Lindsey, said: “Each incident is being investigated fully and these investigations remain ongoing.

“Neighbourhood officers are engaging with the local community looking to identify and explore every opportunity to identify and arrest the offenders.

“Enhanced patrols are ongoing within the area with support from our Specialist Operations Teams and we are working with colleagues from partner agencies such as Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and West Lindsey District to try and identify anyone involved.

“These offences not only have a huge impact upon the victims but they are clearly dangerous events which not only put the offenders at risk but others around them.

“We are appealing for anybody with any information to contact us to assist us so that we can prevent future incidents and more importantly prevent any person being injured.

“If you live locally and have CCTV fitted at your home or business or you have dash cams within your vehicles please check these for the relevant dates and contact us if you can assist our enquiries.”

Contact can be made via 101 quoting the incident numbers above, by email at [email protected] or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Dan Moss, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s Area Manager for Prevention and Protection, added: “Dealing with these incidents ties up valuable fire and rescue resources and if a call for a life-threatening emergency had come in to us, we could have been delayed in attending because of the mindless actions of selfish people.

“Deliberate fire-setting is treated as a serious offence and investigated as such, with our crews working closely with Lincolnshire Police and other organisations to share information and tackle this.”

Grant White, Communities Manager at West Lindsey district Council, said: “We are supporting the police with their investigations and regularly review our public space CCTV cameras to help identify offenders and provide evidential footage.

“Our CCTV cameras continue to monitor public spaces with our CCTV Staff conducting regular patrols and working closely with local police.”