A COUNCILLOR targeted by arsonists called the culprits cowards as he appealed for help to catch them.

The homes of two Middlesbrough councillors were attacked over the jubilee weekend.

A meeting of Middlesbrough Council will be held this week to enable members to debate the attacks and other instances of harassment and intimidation.

The first of the two attacks happened just before 2am on Saturday, June 2.

The blaze, outside Councillor Geoff Cole’s home in Coulby Newham, caused severe damage to a car and guttering on the house.

Another car was set alight outside a councillor’s house in Linthorpe just after 2.30am on Tuesday, June 5. The second victim has not been named.

Coun Cole, chairman of the council’s planning and development committee, described how his partner was woken by her car alarm.

He said: “At first, she thought it was the front of the house on fire, but then realised it was her car.

“Still half-asleep, we went downstairs and opened the front door to be met by a firefighter who told us to go back inside and close the door.

“We could see and smell toxic fumes from the fire coming through a vent in the door, so we went back upstairs until we were told it was safe to come back down. I would like to thank my neighbours for their prompt action in calling the police and fire service.

“Arson is a cowardly, indiscriminate crime with no control over the outcome and whose consequences can be fatal. Fortunately, the speedy arrival of the fire brigade stopped the fire spreading.

“These attacks appear to have been orchestrated as they were only a few days apart. They were more than just attacks on individual councillors – they were attacks on the democratic process.”

The meeting will take place in Middlesbrough Town Hall from 7pm tomorrow.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555- 111.