Vandals hunted after four cars are torched in Gainsborough

Police have launched an investigation after a number of vehicles were set alight in Gainsborough in the early hours of this morning, Monday, 29 June.
Fire Service.Generic Fire engine and Fire service officers for Scarborough.Picture Richard Ponter 132217fFire Service.Generic Fire engine and Fire service officers for Scarborough.Picture Richard Ponter 132217f
Fire Service.Generic Fire engine and Fire service officers for Scarborough.Picture Richard Ponter 132217f

All incidents were reported between the hours of 01:23 and 01:48.

A Fiat van on Sandsfield Lane was reported on fire; followed by a Citroen C2 and a Volkswagen Polo on Thorndike Mews, and then a further report that a Rover 25 on Prospect Terrace was also on fire.

Both police and fire have attended and an active investigation remains ongoing. Initial indications are that bags of rubbish have been placed under vehicles before being ignited. This has then resulted in the cars catching fire and being either damaged or destroyed.

Community Policing Inspector Simon Outen is appealing to anybody who has any information in relation to these fires to please come forward.

He said: “Setting fire to anything beneath a car, particularly in a residential area, is an incredibly dangerous activity. Initial enquiries have not identified any potential motives, and we are working on the assumption that it is badly misguided mischievousness, with a grossly disproportionate effect on the victim with the consequent upheaval, cost and difficulty caused.

“Those doing it may cause themselves serious injury should there be any leakage already present, but more importantly in a residential area, the fire could spread to a neighbouring property with the potential for a tragic outcome, including a loss of life.

“I would therefore appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible for these recent fires to contact us as soon as possible, or anonymously via Crimestoppers, before we are dealing with a more serious incident during which someone has been seriously injured.

“I would also ask those responsible to consider how they would react if somebody, including a relative, were to be seriously injured as a result of their actions. All too often across the country we have seen pranks result in unintended consequences with both the victims, and offenders, lives destroyed forever. Let’s hope that won’t be the case here in Gainsborough.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incidents 20, 23, and 25 of 29/06/2015. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.