Chilling CCTV footage shows suspect run away as car torched in arson attack

It happened on Winthorpe Crescent in Thorpe, south Leeds, in the early hours of Monday, June 1.

A silver Vauxhall car, parked on the driveway at the family's home, was torched in a suspected arson attack.

Chilling CCTV footage shows a male suspect approach the car before running away as it bursts into flames.

A 64-year-old woman and her 12-year-old grandson were inside the house at the time of the attack but managed to escape without injury.

The victim's daughter, Sam Walker, said: "The suspect walked through a neighbour's garden, walked over the road, down the side of my mums car he then cut the fuel line and set the petrol alight.

"Police and fire service believe my mum, my 12-year-old son and her dog were really lucky to have got out without injury. My mum and my son are very shook up.

"We don't know why anyone would want to hurt my mum or even attack her car.

"We would like to thank all the neighbours that came out to try put the fire out and West Yorkshire Fire crews in Rothwell for their quick response."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to the scene just after 1am.

Officers are investigating the incident which has been recorded as arson.

Sam added: "The culprit will have stunk of petrol so if someone you know came home after midnight and stunk of petrol please please don’t protect them."

Anyone with information about what took took place is asked to contact the Leeds South Neighborhood Policing Team on 101 referencing crime number 13200272275.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

-> https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777