Destroyed

POLICE have been called in to investigate a spate of car fires over the weekend - two of which were extremely close to houses.

Officers based at Northwich have critised those responsible for setting three cars alight within minutes of each other in the early hours of Saturday morning in a half-mile radius of Northwich.

The first happened at 3.29am in Verdin Street when a Peugeot 205 hatchback, worth £4,500, which was parked halfway in a garage to the rear of a property, was completely destroyed.

The roof of the garage was also damaged. and the cost of the damage is not yet known.

Then a short time later in Liverpool Street, a red Ford Sierra Sapphire, worth £1,800, which was parked outside a garage to the rear of a residential property, was set alight and completely destroyed.

Finally a Peugeot 205, which was parked in Magdala Place in Northwich, was completely destroyed after being set alight.

In all cases it is unclear how the cars were set alight and police believe they could be linked.

DS Keith Beresford, of Northwich police, said: "Two of these offences occurred in driveways of property and in one instance a garage was damaged.

"There could have been far more serious implications due to the close proximity to dwelling houses.

"Obviously all these offences occurred in a reasonably small area and around the same time and it would appear although not confirmed that these offences are linked."

Anyone who can help is asked to ring Northwich Police on 01606 48000.

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk