April 13, 2020 10.13 am This story is over 47 months old

Suspected Cleethorpes serial arsonist arrested

A 25-year-old man has been arrested

A suspected serial arsonist has been arrested in Cleethorpes after a spate of car and building fires.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses to a number of incidents as part of ongoing investigations.

The 25 year-old man was arrested on Saturday, April 11 on suspicion of causing several fires which have happened in and around Cleethorpes in recent months.

The man remains in custody at the time of writing.

Detective Inspector Kerry Bull at Humberside Police said: “I know this recent spate of fires in Cleethorpes has been a cause for concern to our local community and I am pleased to confirm we have a man in custody in connection with these incidents.

“As part of our enquiries we are appeal for the help of the local residents.

“The suspect was arrested Saturday afternoon at around 5.40pm on Trinity Road and was wearing a pair of red white and blue shorts and a grey polo shirt.

‘We believe that he may have discarded a pair of red trainers and a mobile phone in the Highgate to Cleethorpes beach area.

“We have officers and dogs searching for these items but are appealing for anyone in that area to call us if they see these items. Please don’t move them, just call us, we can do the rest.

“I am also appealing for anyone who may have been at the scene of some recent fires to call us if they saw anyone acting suspiciously or hanging around the vicinity of these offences.”

Police are appealing for witnesses of the following fires to come forward:

  • A car fire at the Rose & Crown on Louth Road on March 1
  • A car fire on Sandringham Road on March 7
  • A car fire on Lindsey Road March 26
  • Two cars set alight on Peterson Drive in Grimbsy on March 30
  • Fire at the derelict Thrunscoe centre, Highgate on April 1
  • Two vehicles set alight on Halton Place, Cleethorpes on April 10
  • A car fire on Thrunscoe Road, Cleethorpes on April 11

DI Bull added: “If you saw these fires, saw anyone acting suspiciously at the scene or have information that might help with our enquiries, I urge you to call us as a matter of urgency. The information you hold may be very important to our investigations.”

Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 16/41028/20.