Police investigating spate of arsons in Wick, Littlehampton (From The Argus)

Police investigating spate of arsons in Wick, Littlehampton

12:37pm Friday 1st April 2011 in News By Ruth Lumley

Sussex Police is investigating a spate of fires after 12 arsons were reported in one month.

Since the beginning of March, there have been a dozen car fires in Wick, Littlehampton.

Shortly before a car parked in Stanley Road was found alight at about 4.35am yesterday(FRI), two men were seen riding a moped and shouting, in nearby Beaconsfield Road.

The moped is believed to be one stolen earlier in the night from Tennyson Avenue, Rustington, and has not yet been recovered.

A white Ford Escort was reported stolen from a communal car parking area outside Marden House, Wick, Littlehampton, between 10pm on Wednesday March 23 and 7.40am on Thursday March 24, where it had been left secured.

The car was discovered on fire at 2.30am on Thursday in Hawthorn Gardens, Worthing, having been deliberately set alight.

Further arsons were reported on Saturday March 26, when a shed was deliberately set on fire in Willow Brook, Wick.

Overnight on Tuesday March 29 a fence was set on fire in Stean Furlong, Wick. There have also been reports of deliberate fires to hedges in and around Rustington and Littlehampton.

Sussex Police are offering a £500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for these crimes.

Chief Inspector Jane Derrick, Arun police district commander, said: “Deliberately setting light to anything has serious consequences and I would urge anyone who has any information or may have seen anything to contact us urgently before someone is seriously injured or affected.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 0845 6070999, quoting serial 0080 of March 24 or 0143 of April 1, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.