[16 AUG 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Help Catch Arsonists Plea From Rugby Mayor

A team of 35 officers is working to catch the arsonists who set two Rugby homes alight in the middle of the night.

And the borough mayor has appealed for help to catch the culprits. If they are caught, they are set to face attempted murder charges.

Two families, known to each other, were roused from their beds when the front doors of their homes were set ablaze early on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters had to help a family of seven to safety in George Street. The other fire in Kew Road was put out by neighbours before the emergency services arrived.

With Asian people in both houses, police cannot rule out a racist link, but say this is not their first line of inquiry.

The mayor of Rugby, Cllr Ish Mistry, has called on townspeople to help the police. He said:

“These incidents have shocked the community. The people of Rugby can be proud of their community race relations over the past 30 years.

“We have no reason why these incidents should occur. All our groups have worked closely together to build a community of respect and understanding.

“We have been working very closely with the police and are impressed with their response and they are treating these incidents as serious crimes.

“Our community leaders met with senior police officers head by Acting Assistant Chief Constable Derek Cake and we have the fullest confidence in Mr Cake and his team of officers.

He said he was also also encouraged by the support give by the Rugby Racial Equality Council and its chairperson Annamaria Robb. Cllr Mistry said:

“I wish to assure the whole community that the police are committed to investigating all lines of inquiry and to find and bring to justice those responsible for these ghastly crimes.

“The police need your support and I ask you to contact their Hotline telephone number on 01926 415792 with any information that could help this inquiry.”

SEE: [15 AUG 00]  RUGBY ARSONISTS STRIKE TWICE IN THE NIGHT