AN ARSONIST is being hunted today after a car was torched in Hadleigh bringing the number of firebug attacks in the town this year at least 13.Young thugs living in the town are being blamed for the infernos, but one resident said some householders are too afraid to identify them to police for fear of being terrorised.

By Nick Richards

AN ARSONIST is being hunted today after a car was torched in Hadleigh bringing the number of firebug attacks in the town this year at least 13.

Young thugs living in the town are being blamed for the infernos, but one resident said some householders are too afraid to identify them to police for fear of being terrorised.

The latest blaze left Ken Morphew without any transport after his H reg Metro was totally destroyed.

Mr Morphew said he had just returned home when he was alerted to the fire outside his house in Bradfield Avenue at 1am yesterday.

He said: "I was sitting watching television when my neighbour banged on the door and told me the car was on fire. It was all lit up and there was nothing I could do.

"I had only been home for about an hour when it happened. My son's friend dropped my son off at about 12.40am and he said there was nobody suspicious outside, but around twenty minutes later it happened."

Witnesses in the street reported hearing the sound of breaking glass but didn't see anybody actually set light to the car.

The H-registration Metro was completely burnt out in the incident, just days after it had passed its MOT.

Mr Morphew said: "The frustrating thing is that I've only just got the car taxed and through its MOT. I also spent £250 on new tyres on it just this month so I'm really gutted.

"It's also the inconvenience of now not having a car. I was hoping to drive to Kent today to pick up my wife. It was a good little car."

He said that a month ago there was a fire in the garages at the back of his house - yet another blaze to add to the list of fires in the town.

The arson spree in Hadleigh includes a caravan, which was set on fire also in Bradfield Avenue, on January 22. Neighbouring streets Pykenham Way and Timperley Road have been subject to two skip fires and a car fire already this year.

Cars, skips, sheds and wheelie bins have been additional targets in the catalogue of arson incidents.

Mr Morphew added: "We have a good idea who it is. We think there are half a dozen of them who are aged between 16 and 22. Three of them are in their 20s and they all come from this part of Hadleigh."

The Evening Star has put up a reward of £1,000 for anyone whose information leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attacks.

"I think it's good to offer the money, but people are scared to come forward and say who it is," said Mr Morphew. "The police know who is doing it but there is no actual proof. There is lots of talk about who it is doing this.

"I don't think these attacks are random. My son's mate had his car torched and now my car. There were other cars in the road they could have chosen including a big van if they wanted to make more of a blaze, but they chose mine."

Mr Morphew praised the fire service who were on the scene within a matter of minutes.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Fire Service confirmed the incident was being treated as arson.

Anyone with information should telephone Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.