Hedgehog set alight by youths
ARSONISTS set a hedgehog alight in Peverell and wheelie bins were torched during a trail of Bonfire Night destruction in Plymouth.
Police are investigating a string of arson and firework attacks in the city, including a number of incidents which may be linked to one group of people.
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Paul Vowden, watch commander at Camels Head fire station, said: “We had a very busy night.”
He said calls started coming in as soon as his watch got on shift at 6pm, and continued until about 1.30am. During that time his crews dealt with more than 20 incidents.
Mr Vowden said: “We had lots of calls about people setting fire to bins, there was a car fire in Springhill, and another later on. A hedgehog was set on fire, which was nasty – the poor thing died. I think it was just unfortunate that Bonfire Night was on a day when lots of people had their bins out”.
One fireman at Camels Head said firelighters had been used on the wheelie bins, and to set the hedgehog alight, saying he suspected the attacks had all been carried out by a group of youths.”
Asked about the hedgehog incident, which happened in a lane off Lyndhurst Road, a spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “It beggars belief why anyone would want to behave like that.”
Crews dealt with 12 wheelie bin fires in various streets following a route through Peverell, Beacon Park, Ham and Pennycross.
The reports came in around 11.30pm and crews from various fire stations attended. In a separate incident, two fire engines were sent to Chard Barton in Honicknowle at about 8.20pm after a report of a firework being pushed through a letterbox. The small fire was extinguished and the area made safe.
The lady living in the property, described as a disabled, vulnerable woman, was treated with oxygen therapy at the scene.
Firefighters said she was extremely shaken up by the incident, but otherwise unhurt. Police are investigating this and the wheelie bin incidents.
Crews were also called to deal with a fire in a roof gutter started accidentally by a firework.
Two fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were sent to the three-storey property in York Place, Stoke, at about 9.30pm last night.
The small fire in guttering, which was made of plastic, was extinguished and the roof checked for any further signs of fire.
There were also a number of vehicle fires throughout the night, including a camper van severely damaged by fire at 12.20am in Pennycross. No-one was injured in any of the incidents.
Watch manager Dave Rowley, of Crownhill Fire Station, said: “The council policy of having no bonfires on their land worked well, and we had very few to deal with.
“Unfortunately, we had lots of arson incidents like wheelie bins, a car and a bike.”
Police investigating the various incidents have carried out door-to- door inquiries, but would still like to hear from anyone with information about the crimes.
The RSPCA called on people to report any instances of animal cruelty to the police or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
41 Comments
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by Sam, Plymouth
Saturday, November 08 2008, 11:49PM
“To all the 'ban it' bridade, the problem is yobs and morons who couldn't care less about anyone else, not fireworks. Why should sensible people not be able to get fireworks for civilised home use (99% of it) just because a few idiots want to mess around? It's the idiots who should be targetted, what next, idiot stabs someone with screwdriver, ban screwdrivers, idiot smashes glass on someone's head, ban glasses!
Jesus”
by Declan, Plymouth
Saturday, November 08 2008, 11:47PM
“To all the 'ban it' bridade, the problem is yobs and morons who couldn't care less about anyone else, not fireworks. Why should sensible people not be able to get fireworks for civilised home use (99% of it) just because a few idiots want to mess around? It's the idiots who should be targetted, what next, idiot stabs someone with screwdriver, ban screwdrivers, idiot smashes glass on someone's head, ban glasses!
Jesus”
by Uncle Bill, Jamaica
Friday, November 07 2008, 2:41PM
“Suzannah, I'm sorry, I should have made myself clearer. I was referring to after dark hours. I understand that they have removed a lot of the bushes that used to grow around the perimeter by St. Barnabas Tce.”
by Suzannah, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 2:02PM
“Well Uncle Bill, I regularly walk through Victoria Park on my way into town (I prefer to walk) and I find it ok. Obviously I wouldn't go there at night or after dark, but I wouldn't call it a no go area.”
by Uncle Bill, Jamaica
Friday, November 07 2008, 1:52PM
“Suzannah, what a coincidence. Stoke is where I used to live. Spent many an enjoyable time in Victoria Park. I understand that's a no-go area now. But you're right, different people living in different area have different perceptions. That's one of the big advantages with the comments section.”
by Suzannah, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 1:47PM
“Uncle Bill, my original post didn't go on the thread for some reason, so the post you saw was a bit out of context. My original post was long and I haven't got the time to re-type it (at work at the mo). The thing is, although I read about all this crime in the City, if it doesn't touch you in any way, you wonder if it is as bad as it looks. I live in Stoke, a lot of people would say it is a bad area, but I have lovely neighbours and I see no trouble whatsoever.”
by Uncle Bill, Jamaic
Friday, November 07 2008, 12:16PM
“Hi Suzannah. You're perfectly right, the media are only interested in 'newsworthy items'. If the item can be made more 'newsworthy' then they will do it. This applies to virtually all countries.
That's why I enjoy reading the Herald. It keeps me in touch with what is happening in my home town. Not the news articles...I read them with a pinch of salt. I read the information from people like you in the comments section.
Having said that, I have to read some of them with a little dash of salt.
It's only from the people who live in each society, that the real truth of what is happening is available.”
by Suzannah, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 11:19AM
“Uncle Bill, I meant to add that if you say about Jamaica that you can't believe everything you read in the press, the same could be said for Plymouth or anywhere else for that matter.”
by Uncle Bill, Jamaica
Thursday, November 06 2008, 9:08PM
“Uncle Monty, I really don't think this is the place to argue relative crime figures.
All I was saying is that if you take out the drug related killings, then the figures would alter substantially.
Of course we have crime here, I have never denied that. If you wish to discuss the matter further please write me at agnew_w@yahoo.com where I will me more than willing to accomodate you.
It would also be good to keep in tough with a brother Plymouthian.”
by Uncle Monty, crow cragg
Thursday, November 06 2008, 8:37PM
“Come on Bill, at least if you are going to remark on our crime, be honest about your own. 100 plus each year killed by police, with your Labour politician claiming that many victims are innocent. Your own Minister of Security stating that their is corruption amongst the police.
Police killed on a regular basis.
50 + children murdered this year alone. 300+ since 2004.
and whilst it may ease your conscience by claiming they are all drug related; neither Unicef, your own government or other agencies involved make that claim.”