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irsonists devastate depots in North-East, causing havoc
Page 12
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XCLUSIVE I by Emma Penny
orthumbria police are hunting arsonists who have attacked no truck and bus depots in the North-East over the past mr, causing £17m in damage and lost revenue.
The case is featured in this week's BBC Crimewatch as _tectives attempt to catch the arsonists before they cause rther damage or kill someone.
The attacks started last June when 23 refuse vehicles ere set alight at Newcastle upon Tyne Council's Cityworks .pot in Heaton, doing £2m of damage. In the latest attack 16 ?hides were attacked at Benfield Motors in Newcastle, )using more than 300,000-worth of damage.
Police say the arsonists break into secure compounds, rash cab windows and pour petrol inside before setting pt to the trucks using matches held together with asking tape. They know that at least two people are volved as they were spotted on CCTV running say from a burning depot.
Sergeant Ray Benson, who has been working the case since December, warns that the 6sonists may soon kill someone. "On one occasion, they set fire to a truck when its driver was in the cab asleep" he says. "They have also set fire to trucks parked next to a petrol tanker. If it hadn't been for the Fire Brigade's rapid reaction there would have been a catastrophe.
This sort of crime has a terrible effect on smaller businesses—many of the vehicles attacked in the truck park belonged to owner-drivers." Psychological profilers have been called in, but police believe the arsonists' behaviour may have changed since the attacks started. Police say they may also have told someone about their activities. Benson adds: ''We have to keep an open mind, but the likelihood is that they have an In depth knowledge of the haulage industry or have done a lot of research or background work into identifying these places. The average person wouldn't know where a lot of these depots are.
"The people we are dealing with are doing a lot of preparation, but by the same token they are taking so many risks. It will inevitably lead to someone being killed—either themselves, drivers or security guards at these depots."
He warns operators in the North-East to be vigilant: "And where you have CCTV on your premises, ensure it is working."
A substantial reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonists.
II Contact: The Wallsend Police incident room on 01661 863301, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.