Telford arson attack causes £2,000 damage to car

A car was set alight in a suspected arson attack in Telford today, causing about £2,000 of damage. The Volvo saloon, which was parked in Sandcroft in Sutton Hill, went up in flames just before 3am today.

Police confirmed they were treating it as suspicious – but ruled out a link with a string of car fires in Hadley and Leegomery over the past few weeks.

Telford police spokesman Denise Wakefield said: "Damage was caused to the engine and front passenger area, causing about £2,000 damage.

"Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward."

She said the fire was not, at this stage, being connected with a string of car fires across north Telford over the past month.

She added: "There is nothing to suggest this is being linked – it appears to be a separate incident."

A fire crew and a fire investigation officer from Tweedale was called to the fire at 2.55am.

Fire fighters using breathing apparatus took 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

A spate of car fires across the Leegomery area has led to a number of arrests.

Police believe the Sutton Hill fire was started deliberately and appealed for anyone with information to contact them on the new non-emergency number 101.

Information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.