£3,000 reward to catch Telford arson yobs
The owner of a car that was torched by arsonists in Telford has put up a £3,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to a conviction for the attack.
Alan Mustafa has spoken of his shock after his red Vauxhall Astra was set alight outside his home in Princess Avenue, Arleston, in the early hours of Friday morning.
The 29-year-old had been asleep just three metres away from the car and he was alerted to the blaze by a neighbour.
It is the latest in a string of arson attacks on cars across the borough.
Mr Mustafa said: “I was sleeping at the time. My friend, a neighbour, rang me to tell me.
“The fire was three metres away from where I was sleeping. There was smoke coming in through the window.
“I looked out of the window and saw the fire. I called the fire service.
“I’ve no idea who it could have been. It’s a long time I’ve lived here and nobody has ever done anything like this. I feel shocked.”
He said he was prepared to offer a £3,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the culprits being convicted.
Police say two people were seen running away from the scene in Arleston after the red Vauxhall Astra was set alight. The vehicle was set alight at 2am on Friday.
Fire crews used jets to tackle the blaze which was out within 20 minutes.
It happened just days after three cars were damaged in Overdale, with the culprit caught on CCTV dousing a vehicle with petrol before setting it alight.
New figures have revealed that more than half of the vehicle fires in Telford & Wrekin in the last 12 months were classed as arson.
In light of a spate of attacks in recent months in the Telford area figures have shown that out of a total of 76 fires, 59 per cent were classed as arson.
Anyone convicted of arson may face a lengthy prison sentence and even a life sentence.
Anyone with information should contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident number 646s of August 18. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
