Cleveland Police arrest suspect after eight vehicles deliberately set on fire in early hours of morning in Hartlepool

By Mark Payne
Published 18th Aug 2023, 15:59 BST
Updated 18th Aug 2023, 17:05 BST
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after eight vehicles were torched in Hartlepool in a trail of destruction.

The 31-year-old suspect is being quizzed in connection with eight vehicles set on fire in the early hours of August 18 in the Burn Valley and Foggy Furze areas of town.

Hartlepool District Commander Superintendent Martin Hopps said at this stage the attacks appear to have been committed at random and the vehicle owners have not been specifically targeted.

It is believed only one person was responsible.

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Hartlepool District Commander Martin Hopps and two of the eight vehicles set on fire in the same night.Hartlepool District Commander Martin Hopps and two of the eight vehicles set on fire in the same night.
Hartlepool District Commander Martin Hopps and two of the eight vehicles set on fire in the same night.

Supt Hopps said: "We’ve got a dedicated investigation team on it, the neighbourhood team is going to be conducting some high visibility foot patrol in the area and we’ve got a suspect currently in custody which we’re working through at this moment in time to establish their involvement.

"Over the course of the weekend the public should be able to see more police presence in that area and I’ve got some dedicated patrols being conducted at the time the vehicles were burnt out in the early hours of the morning and those will continue throughout the weekend.”

Talking of the potential danger of the incidents, he added: “It has been dangerous in some instances. The vehicles are parked only a few feet away from their home addresses.”

Some residents were temporarily evacuated due to the proximity of the fires to people’s homes.

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Paul Brackstone alongside the burnt out remains of his Range Rover in Brinkburn Road, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REIDPaul Brackstone alongside the burnt out remains of his Range Rover in Brinkburn Road, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID
Paul Brackstone alongside the burnt out remains of his Range Rover in Brinkburn Road, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam footage or doorbell footage that has not already been in touch with Cleveland Police is asked to contact them by calling 101 quoting the reference number 164288.

Footage can be uploaded at: https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/cleveland/appeal/man-arrested-following-spate-of-arson-incidents.