A senior Police officer on the Isle of Wight has said that he wants the person responsible for a series of arson attacks in East Cowes to realise the serious danger they pose, with reassurances given to residents that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary continue to investigate the vehicle fires.
It has been confirmed that between December 2022 and February 2023, Police received reports of 7 vehicles being deliberately set alight on York Avenue, Kent Avenue, Victoria Grove and Mayfield Road.
The 1st incident in this spate of attacks occurred on 10th December when a curtain side van parked on York Avenue went up in flames. Then, just 10 days later, an Islandwide Carpets van was destroyed with damage also caused to a Vauxhall Astra van.
On 22nd January, fire crews were called to Victoria Grove when an Isle of Wight Distribution van was set on fire. Just minutes later, a campervan parked on Kent Avenue was also reported to be well alight.
The most recent incident occurred on York Avenue on Friday (17th February) when attempts were made to set alight a white van belonging to ADT, as previously reported by Island Echo. An 18-year-old man from Sandown was arrested but has since been eliminated from enquiries.
In addition, officers are looking into whether or not a fire on York Avenue on 14th July last year is connected to this spate of arson attacks.
Inspector Andy McDonald has today (Wednesday) said:
“These incidents have the very real potential to put the safety of members of the public at risk, and I want the person or people responsible for these fires to realise the serious danger they are creating for themselves and local residents.
“This behaviour must stop, and we will be investigating this series as a priority in order to protect the community and bring those responsible to justice.
“Officers have been, and will continue to be following up enquiries in the area, including scoping for CCTV and doorbell camera footage, as well as conducting proactive patrols.
“You may already be aware that during one of these patrols an 18-year-old man was arrested as part of this investigation, however we can confirm he has since been eliminated from enquiries and released with no further action.
“Every line of enquiry available to us will be pursued and we are keeping an open mind as to what the exact motive of these offences is and who is responsible.
“We hear the concerns of the community, and ask people to please not speculate and to ensure all information is provided directly to the police.”
If you have any information, CCTV footage, doorbell camera footage, or Dash Cam footage in the area that could assist police with enquiries, call 101 quoting 44230028489. You can also submit information online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
As always a pathetic plea from the Police and no doubt the Fire brigade just think that by ‘warning’ the perpetrator that ‘they could be hurt’ or they could hurt someone else’ is really going to change their thinking.
This isn’t a toddler where you can tell and persuade them to avoid dangers.
This is someone screwed up for whatever reason, who needs beating senseless to stop such behaviour.
Execution would be better but that should be saved until they kill or maim someone.
So just needs someone to catch them in the act, a group of residents to kick the daylights out of it, and leave its broken body for a passer by to phone the emergence services the next morning.
Or the alternative is a fine, which likely we will pay
Guess you think a physical beating is the answer to everything… even your wife and kids probably… moron..
Every line of enquiry available to us will be pursued and we are keeping an open mind as to what the exact motive of these offences is and who is responsible.
…
clearly a case of a local resident who doesn’t like vehicles parked in his/her area that are not owned by other residents of the same area
All the police seam to be in West Cowes, we pay the same charge for Hampshire Constabulary but do not receive proactive local policing in line with the population of the town. It is very concerning being a camper van owner (on drive). sooner or later the culprit, the owner or an innocent member of the public may get hurt due to the fire or explosion.
Of course as members of the public all we do is report and wait for the police to attend from another town. If you get hold of the culprit and detain them giving them even the slightest graze the law is stacked on their side! If I was young enough I would happily join the special constabulary, I guess they are being utilised for undercover work in the town?
From what I see day in and day out on the Island
THERE IS NO LAW AND ORDER
Vehicles overtake on Beaper Shute, Briddlesford Road and Military Road to name a few
locations at excessive speeds
“NO CAMERA’S to catch them”
Vehicles are allowed to obstruct motorists by Parking 24/7 on Island pavements
Regent Street Shanklin and Great Preston Road Ryde are 2 examples.
Traffic at McDonald’s is a Safety issue for motorists due to Drive Thru not being able to cope with demand of Boy Racers wanting their Burgers.
When the 15 minute cities arrive on the Island I don’t know how they will implement them.
THEY CANNOT EVEN DO THE BASICS!
Need more police foot patrols, not sat in their nice warm cars
Surely they don’t think a statement like that is going to have the slightest effect.
“This behaviour must stop.” says the man in charge of trying to stop this behaviour.
Less talky, more action mate.
The idiot behind this doesn’t seem to be interested in stopping, so needs to be stopped. If only there were some kind of group or organisation charged with trying to prevent this type of thing from happening.
If they torch my mobility scooter when it’s outside the pub I’ll be right up the creek, I’ve got bets to put on & lottery numbers to do!
Don’t try and scoot along the pavements along Great Preston Road in Ryde.
Due to idiots parking on Pavements, you will not be able to get along safely.
If I go to Ryde, usually for a cheap Spoons Breakfast l, I always use my free bus pass, I don’t like to pay out to much if I can help it, the welfare state is there for a reason
Hope he sets fire to my van. Its a sack of s##t.
Curfews and tags on the low life and their feral brats would be a good deterant but the do-gooders keep stopping it happening
Warped sack of s*it needs to set fire to himself Smiffy