17 cars destroyed in Motherwell arson attack

21 June 2018, 13:47 | Updated: 21 June 2018, 13:49

A fire at a car dealership which caused £850,000 worth of damage was started deliberately, police said.

CCTV images showed a man climbing the perimeter fence and starting a fire in the forecourt of Lookers garage in Windmillhill Street in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.

Seventeen vehicles were badly damaged in the blaze which started at around 11.40pm on Wednesday.

The incident is being treated as wilful fireraising following a joint investigation between police and the fire service.

Detective Inspector Kenny Dalrymple said: "Extensive enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding this reckless crime and it is absolutely vital that anyone with information comes forward.

"We know that the suspect climbed the fence to start the fire and I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of the garage around the time of the incident and may have noticed someone acting suspiciously to get in touch.

"I would particularly appeal to any motorists with dashcams who were driving along Windmillhill Street between 11.30pm and 11.50pm to contact police as you may have captured footage which could be important to our investigation.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Wishaw CID via 101, quoting incident number 4577 of Wednesday June 20 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence."