From the Norwich Evening News
A police car has been completely destroyed by arsonists after it was placed at a half-built housing estate near Norwich to stop Travellers setting up camp.
Norfolk police left the car at the Ringland Lane opening onto Queen’s Hills in Costessey over the weekend, following the departure of Travellers who had camped there for six months.
It is understood police felt they had to leave the vehicle at the site because officers were unimpressed by a ‘bund’ – an embankment – put up to prevent other vehicles getting onto the land.
That bund had been put up by a consortium of developers, but when police ran the rule over it on Friday they deemed it “totally inadequate”.
Police had hoped a better bund would be built by yesterday, but left the car to block off the site in the meantime.
However, on Saturday night, firefighters from Earlham were called to reports that the car was ablaze.
A Norfolk police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an incident of arson which happened on Saturday night in Costessey.
“Shortly before 11pm a suspect or suspects set fire to a police car which had been parked in Ringland Lane. The vehicle was completely destroyed as a result of the incident and has since been recovered.
“Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information concerning it. Anyone with information should contact police on 101.”
The Travellers who had been camping on the field, which is an emergency access road to Queens Hills, were moved on earlier this month and headed to a pitch run by Thetford Town Council.
The Queen’s Hills estate has had a difficult time. Developers Cofton went into administration two years ago, leaving the estate with few facilities.
South Norfolk Council threatened other developers with an injunction, before a deal was struck to build a community centre, play areas and a country park.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.