'Appalling' spate of arson attacks damages up to 25 vehicles

About 25 cars and vans have been damaged in an "appalling" spate of arson attacks near Bristol on Sunday.

Police were first called to a car fire in Stoke Gifford in the early hours, with others later attacked in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Patchway.

The attack on the Rolls Royce carpark in Patchway destroyed 15 minibuses which were used by schools and vulnerable members of the community.

Avon and Somerset Police is appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

The BBC has been told that the minibuses were owned by charity Four Towns and Vale Link Community which helps people with mobility issues be "self-sufficient and maintain their personal independence".

It is believed that some of the vehicles were due to be used to transport children to school on Monday morning.

It is currently unknown if alternative arrangements have been made.

The BBC has contacted the charity for comment.

Bradley Stoke mayor and town council spokesman Tom Aditya said the attacks were "appalling and shameful".

Speaking to the BBC, he called on police to "deploy a special dedicated team to identify the culprit".

He revealed that two of the vehicles belonged to the council and it was waiting for technicians to evaluate the extent of the damage.

Mr Aditya said that this sort of crime was "unheard" of in Bradley Stoke.

Another man - who lives in Stoke Gifford - said he was alerted to the fires when his dog started barking shortly after 01:00 BST.

Speaking to the BBC, the man - who did not wish to be named - said he got dressed and ran outside to see several cars ablaze.

He could hear two people calling 999 so decided to film the fires and later sent the footage to the BBC.

"Two vehicles were burning 50 metres in front of me on Gatcombe Drive and another one maybe 100 metres behind me down on Sandringham road," he explained.

"I was approached by a neighbour shortly afterwards who said he'd heard of up to five in the area."

The man believes the arson attack was not committed by local people because there was a "trail of destruction across the area".

Police and the fire service were initially called to reports of a vehicle fire at about 01:30 on Sunday in New Road, Stoke Gifford.

By 05:30 there were further reports, with up to 20 vehicles set alight in locations across Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Gifford.

At about 03:45 about 20 more vehicles were on fire in a car park at Rolls Royce, Filton.

Police warned that residents might have heard fuel tanks exploding during the string of incidents.

There have been no reports of injuries or damage to buildings.

*An earlier version of this article said that up to 40 vehicles had been damaged. Avon and Somerset Constabulary has since clarified this and said the number is believed to be about 15 minibuses and between eight and 10 cars and vans.

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