Police believe Kilkeel arson incidents are linked
VEHICLES have been set alight in two attacks in a Kilkeel housing development.
Police have confirmed they are treating both incidents as arson and that they believe these attacks are connected.
They have appealed for information.
The vehicles were parked outside homes at Munro Villas, off the Scrogg Road, when they were targeted in the early hours of Monday and again early yesterday (Tuesday).
Officers investigating the incidents have urged anyone with information which may be of help with their enquiries to come forward.
Outlining details of the incidents, Inspector Nicholas Woods confirmed that in the first incident, which was reported to police at around 2.25am, the window of a Volkswagen Passat was smashed and an accelerant then poured inside.
“The vehicle was set alight and extensively damaged,” he said.
“It was then reported to police at around 4.55am this morning (Tuesday) that a vehicle parked in the Munro Villas area was on fire.
“Our colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire. NIFRS believe the cause of the blaze to be deliberate and so the incident is being treated as arson.”
Inspector Woods added: “Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents, which we believe to be linked.”
He urged anyone with any information in relation to these incidents to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting reference numbers CW 178 – 06/05/24 and CW 159-07/05/24.
Alternatively, the Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.