Police appeal for information on stolen car set alight in Oswestry

Seven cars were damaged by fire at various locations in Oswestry between 3am and 4am yesterday. Most of the incidents occurred in the Oak Street area.

But the first fire was reported in Middleton Lane at around 3.15am where a white MG Maestro was set alight and burnt out.

The Maestro had been stolen from outside the owner’s home in Newton Abbot, Devon overnight on April 23/24 and police are anxious to establish its whereabouts during the intervening period leading up to the fire.

Detective Constable Paul Rogers, the investigating officer at Oswestry, said today: “This car may have been in Shropshire for some time before yesterday morning’s incident. In particular, it may have been in the Oswestry area and I am appealing for any sightings during, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and early yesterday.”

He said the car was an old model and therefore quite distinctive. Its registration number is G223UTC. “If anyone thinks they may have spotted this vehicle earlier in the week, I urge them to contact me at Oswestry police station on 0300-333-3000,” DC Rogers added.

Within half an hour of the Maestro fire, reports were received of people attempting to set fire to vehicles in the Oak Street car park. A short time later, similar reports were received from Caer Road, Swan lane, Ash Road, Crestwood Court and Prince Street – all close to Oak Street.

Several cars in the locality were also damaged by people running over their bonnets and a burglary at the Gatacre cricket pavilion is also being linked to the arson attacks. A door to the premises was forced but it’s not yet known if anything was stolen.

Police have received information which indicates a group of four or five youths may have been responsible for the fires.

They have renewed a general appeal for information and said information can also be passed to the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800-555-111.