Police car and three other vehicles destroyed by arsonist in Gosport

DETECTIVES are hunting an arsonist who torched four cars '“ including a police response vehicle '“ in the space of three hours.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Oct 2016, 14:37 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 19:39 BST
ARSON: Firefighters battle to extinguish a blazing police car torched by arsonists in Gosport. PHOTO: Terri WilsonARSON: Firefighters battle to extinguish a blazing police car torched by arsonists in Gosport. PHOTO: Terri Wilson
ARSON: Firefighters battle to extinguish a blazing police car torched by arsonists in Gosport. PHOTO: Terri Wilson

The brazen assault took place last night and left a trail of destruction across two streets in Gosport.

The first attack took place in Foster Road at 7.25pm. Arsonist torched a grey Audi A3 which was parked on the drive in front of a home.

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Then, while firefighters were battling the blaze, a second vehicle – a grey Jeep Cherokee, was set on fire at 7.40pm just a few hundred metres away in Linden Grove.

At 9.20pm a third vehicle, a silver Mercedes E280, was torched in Foster Road.

Finally, while police officers were questioning a victim in Foster Road, the arsonists set their marked Ford Focus ablaze.

Flames erupted from the from front of the vehicle, scorching another nearby car parked next to it. The police car was gutted by the blaze.

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Nobody was injury in the evening-long assault. But police have now launched a manhunt to track down the culprit before they strike again.

So far nobody has been arrested.

Detective Constable Chris Hudson, said: ‘We are appealing for information about these incidents to come forward. Did you see or hear anything suspicious?

‘I am also keen to hear from any members of the community who may have private CCTV. If you do have your own private CCTV, please contact us as soon as possible.’

Anyone with information should contact DC Hudson at Fratton police station on 101 quoting 4416382073.