POLICE have launched an investigation after arsonists set alight their TENTH vehicle in the same residential street in less than five months on Sunday.
The latest incident happened just after midnight on Sunday May 14, on Giles Close in Stechford, south east of Birmingham.
On most occasions the unidentified youth is alone, but on some occasions he has had an accomplice who breaks the window before a petrol bomb is thrown into the vehicle.
The first attack caught on CCTV came on New Years Eve as he set alight a Chevrolet at 9.40pm, followed by a Ford Focus on January 2 at 1.23am.
Footage shows a BMW being targeted on January 6 at 12.28am, and a Citroen Berlingo van on January 10 at 12.37am.
Clips this month show that a second Ford Focus was torched on May 1 at 12.04am, and on Sunday (May 16) at 12.07am the latest vehicle to be burnt out was a Toyota.
CCTV shows the arsonist running away from a burning car off camera, and seconds later footage recorded by a resident show that the vehicle is well ablaze.
A Peugeot 308 was also burnt out on May 8 at 11.45pm outside Crabtree House a tower block on the cul-de-sac.
In total twelves vehicles have been damaged, ten were set on fire and two other vehicles have been have been vandalised and have also involved an Audi A4 and a Vauxhall Combi van.
Locals believe it is the same person responsible for the string of attacks and have vowed to go vigilante if the person responsible isn’t caught by Police.
The attacks happen mostly on Friday and Saturday nights between 11pm and 2am and would appear to be random.
Residents are currently living on a knife edge, wondering if it will be their car next, and are worried that it will only be a matter of time before fire spreads and someone is seriously injured.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We are investigating after a vehicle was deliberately set on fire in Giles Close, Birmingham just before 12.15am on Sunday May 16.
“There have been previous car fires in the same street earlier this year, we recognise the impact that incidents like these have on the people affected and those living nearby.
“Enquiries are ongoing, including a CCTV trawl and forensic examination of the car at the scene.
“Local neighbourhood officers will increase reassurance patrols, and we are working with our colleagues at the fire service to try and determine why this is happening and who is responsible.
“We’d urge anyone who has any information about what happened on Sunday night, or any of the previous incidents since January, to contact us as a matter of urgency.
“If you saw anyone acting suspicious in the area, or know who may be responsible call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference 20/765684/21.”
According to Compare the Market, the West Midlands is the third most expensive for car insurance in the UK with drivers paying on average £827.95, just behind the North West at £839.39, and motorists in Greater London shell out £1,107.60.
