UPDATED: Arrests after car fire at Littlemoor (From Dorset Echo)
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UPDATED: Arrests after car fire at Littlemoor
8:46am Monday 28th January 2013 in News
UPDATED: Arrests after car fire at Littlemoor
FOUR people were arrested in connection with a suspected arson fire in Weymouth.
Three males, aged 41, 19 and 16, and a female, 15, were arrested early this morning from different addresses in the Beverley Road area of Littlemoor and taken away by Dorset Police for interview.
Residents said that Dorset Police had been on scene at Beverley Road since 8am.
The arrests came after a Ford Focus was set on fire in a car park in Beverley Road.
Eyewitnesses said they heard banging as the fire took hold, like explosions, and saw the car in flames as it slipped down the car park towards other houses.
The road was blackened where the car had burnt and there was glass in the car park.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, saw the car on fire. She said: “It was full of flames. You couldn't see the car - it was just flames.”
She added: “It was the car alarms going off that woke me and then I looked out and saw it.
“The fire brigade came and put it out.”
Two Weymouth fire crews used water jets to extinguish the blaze just after 4.15am.
A spokesman for the service said: “The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
Yesterday morning (28) police cars, vans and a scientific investigation van were all on scene while police made their arrests and left at about 9.30am.
Speaking at the scene critical incident inspector for the west of the county, Pete Meteau said: “Overnight we have had some further vehicles attacked and burnt and we have just arrested several people in relation to these offences.”
Inspector Meteau added that those arrested were taken to Weymouth police station for interview.
Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Les Fry said the four people had been arrested in connection 'to what is suspected to be arson,' and the investigation was continuing.
He said: “We would appeal to members of the public to come forward with information to help us make Littlemoor a safer place for everyone.
“We will take a strong line with antisocial behaviour and crime in Littlemoor.
“We want to work in partnership with all the agencies involved and the community in order to do this.”
Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.
