Hunt for firestarters after cars are torched

Police are appealing for the public’s help after three vehicles were deliberately torched in Monklands over five days.

In the latest incident, a car was completely burnt out in what detectives described as a “brazen” and “dangerous” act of “wilful fireraising” in broad daylight at the weekend.

No-one was injured during the blaze, which saw a Nissan Qashqai deliberately set alight outside a house on Coatbridge’s Lomond Road around 4.20pm on Saturday.

Detective Constable Paul James of Coatbridge CID said: “The car was completely burnt out.

“At the moment we don’t know why this car was targeted, however, to set fire to a car in the middle of the afternoon on a busy street is quite brazen, not to mention dangerous.

“Although Lomond Road is mainly residential, there’s a lot of through traffic and, at this time of the afternoon, I am sure there would have been a lot of people and traffic.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen any activity around the car at the time and to passing cars which may have dashcam footage.

“Officers have been making local enquiries and checking CCTV and, as a result, are keen to speak to the occupants of a silver pick-up style vehicle that was seen on CCTV in the street at the time as they may have information that will assist our investigation. Information can be passed to officers at Coatbridge police station via 101. Please quote incident number 2489 of September 26 when calling.

“Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Meanwhile, a van was set alight outside a house in Moodiesburn in what police are treating as an act of “wilful fire-raising” at around 12.30am last Tuesday, September 22.

The Vauxhall Combo vehicle was targeted outside a house in Dunellan Avenue.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and police attended the scene and fortunately no-one was injured.

Detective Constable Kim Faulds of Coatbridge police said: “It is being treated as wilful [fire-raising] and our enquiries are ongoing to establish more information and trace those responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Dunellan Avenue early on Tuesday morning [September 22], who witnessed anything suspicious, or who has any information that will assist our investigation.

“I also appeal to anyone driving in or around this street at the time, who has dash- cam footage, to contact us.

“Any witnesses, or anyone with information, should contact Coatbridge police via 101, quoting reference number 0113 of September 22.”

Detectives are also hunting for “three youths” after a car was set on fire in Glenmavis.

The BMW One Series was torched at around 12.30am on

Friday while the vehicle was parked on Coatbridge Road.

Detective Constable Craig Mclean of Coatbridge police said: “Luckily no-one was injured during this incident, however we are working to trace three youths who were seen running off shortly after the fire was started.

“They were all wearing dark clothing at the time.

“Anyone who was in the area who witnessed anything suspicious, or anyone driving on Coatbridge Road with dash-cam footage from early Friday morning, is asked to contact CID at Coatbridge police station through 101, quoting reference number 0120 of September 25.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”