Police hunt serial arsonists

The arsonists have concentrated on trucks and cars

Detectives investigating a year-long series of arson attacks at haulage yards in the North East are now linking three more incidents.

Officers also now believe the damage has been done by two people, instead of a lone firestarter.

Since June 2001 there have been at least nine attacks, which have caused up to £18m of damage.

Detective Inspector Steve Fear, of Northumbria Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "We now know at least two people are involved in these arsons.

'Substantial reward'

"CCTV footage from the Benfield Motors fire show two men running from the scene and we need to know who they are.

"What these people are doing is so reckless it is highly likely their behaviour will have changed or they will have told someone about it.

Matches are taped together to use as fuses

"A substantial reward is also being prepared by the hauliers themselves for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, although at this stage we don't have an exact figure of how much that will be."

In each case, the arsonists broke into a secure compound, smashed cab windows, then poured flammable liquid on the vehicles before running from the scene.

Among the attacks, damage has been done to Newcastle Council's city works and the Simpson Brothers Haulage Company in Throckley where eight lorries were set alight in May.

Crimewatch appeal

Later that month, 16 vans were damaged in a fire at Benfield Motors Showroom on Scotswood Road.

Northumbria Police has now sought the help of the BBC's Crimewatch programme to ensure the widest possible coverage.

The programme will be screened on Wednesday, 26 June, at 2105 BST.

The first attack was at Newcastle City Council's City Works depot at Heaton on 14 June, 2001, where around £2m of damage was caused to vehicles.