Police: We’ll get Telford arson gang soon
Wednesday 1st September 2010, 9:00PM BST.
A teenage gang, believed to include boys as young as 14, who sparked arson attacks on a Shropshire housing estate will be caught before it puts more lives at risk, police warned today.
Inspector Derek Holland said the arsonists are mainly thought to be boys aged in their mid to late teens.
He said their behaviour seemed to have escalated in Sutton Hill in recent weeks but warned the culprits a specialist team had been put together to investigate the recent fires and gang members should expect a knock on the door from police soon.
In the early hours of Saturday several arson attacks were reported over four hours in Sutton Hill.
A camper van, a car and a caravan were all gutted and a man had a lucky escape when he woke to find his camper van on fire.
Mr Holland, in charge of Local Policing in South Telford, also urged anyone who knew the offenders to think about what the consequences could have been.
Mr Holland said: “There has been an increase in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime which has culminated in the incidents in Sutton Hill at the weekend.
“We do believe it’s the same group of people who are responsible for these fires and I would warn any of the individuals involved they should expect a knock on the door very soon.”
Mr Holland said one teenager had been arrested on suspicion of arson and released on police bail, while a second boy, aged 15, had been charged with violent behaviour with the aim to enter a premises. He appeared in court over the weekend and was released on bail until September 15.
Anybody with any information should contact Telford police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
UK News
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
