RESIDENTS in east Durham have spoken of their growing anger and frustration at a continuing spate of arson attacks on cars.

In the latest incident firefighters were called to extinguish a car fire in Victoria Street, Shotton Colliery, at about 11.30pm on Monday.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said a second car had been set alight nearby at the same time.

He said: “It’s getting worse. There have been a number of cars set alight in the area. Normally it’s 3am in the morning but this happened much earlier. They are getting more brazen.

“I was in bed when I saw a flash of light and went to have a look and saw a car on fire. There was another car on fire in Milton Grove. There have been four or five in the area recently.”

The series of arson attacks across east Durham has prompted the independent charity Crimestoppers to offer a reward of up to £1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible.

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said an appliance from Peterlee had attended a car fire in Victoria Street, Shotton Colliery on Monday evening.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “We were called to reports of a car on fire in Victoria Street, Shotton Colliery, at about 11.30pm on Monday. Officers are treating the incident as arson and an investigation is underway.“Witnesses are asked to call Durham Police on 101, quoting incident reference 494 of September 14.”