Police are appealing for information after two cars were set alight during a 48 hour period in the Cottingley Hall estate – less than three weeks since a similar spate led to four cars being burned out.
The first incident this week took place between 11.30pm and 11.50pm on Monday night when a red Vauxhall Corsa was set alight while parked in a car park off Cottingley Vale and at the rear of Cottingley Heights. The vehicle is expected to be an insurance write-off after receiving substantial fire damage to the front of the car.
A second vehicle, also a red Vauxhall Corsa, was set alight around 04.30am in the early hours of Wednesday (29/8) morning as it was parked on the roadside of Cottingley Drive. The suspects are believed to have used rubbish to ignite a fire by the side vehicle’s wheel which has then spread to the car.
Earlier this month on Friday 3 August four vehicles were burnt out in the area surrounding Dulverton Gardens.
Inspector Paul Akerman, who leads the Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“We have significantly increased our overnight patrols in the area but we still need local residents to help us catch those responsible.
“With the frequency of these incidents I believe local people will have suspicions about who may be responsible or may have seen something they consider potentially suspicious.
“I would ask these people to get in touch with us so we can bring those who believe it’s acceptable to destroy other people’s property before the courts.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team via: 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on : 0800 555 111.
Local residents have expressed their anger and frustration over the attacks over at the Cottingley TRAC Facebook page.
Earlier today one resident, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals, told South Leeds Life:
“It’s getting ridiculous – I’m really worried for the safety of my car. Something needs to be done to track who’s doing this.
“The attacks have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. I lie awake at night worrying whether my car’s going up in smoke. There’s problems on the estate – where isn’t there? – but usually nothing like this.
“Someone, somewhere, knows who’s doing it.”
