Taxi is torched in arson attack
Chris Vale and Jim Dixon from 24/7 Taxis
A TAXI firm has been left counting the cost after one of its cars was torched by arsonists.
24/7 Transport Solutions, based in Drury Lane, St Leonards, had to spend almost £15,000 on a replacement vehicle following the attack early last Monday morning (February 4).
One of its vehicles, specially adapted for disabled passengers, was set alight at around 1.50am while parked at the junction of Kenilworth Road and Rothsay Road, St Leonards.
Jim Dixon, the firm’s transport manager, said: “Our night driver had parked the car ready for the next driver to use it to take children to school the next morning. It’s now a write-off. An accelerant was used and the fire started on the windscreen before spreading inside.” He said the vehicle had CCTV cameras fitted inside, as is the case with all of the company’s cars, captured footage of the car being lit.
There have been a number of arson attacks on vehicles across town in the last year, none of which are being linked to Monday’s incident. Last February arsonists torched a new £20,000 Ford Focus by the Comet pub.
On September 30 a car was set on fire in Clarence Road, St Leonards and on November 7, a car was torched in Plynlimmon Road.
Police said a witness was woken up by the the sound of the taxi’s windscreen being smashed on Monday.
Inspector Gareth Evans said: “We are analysing CCTV and have made house-to-house enquiries.
“We do not believe that this fire is linked to any others reported in the previous year. Anyone with information should ring police on 101.”
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Weather for Hastings
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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