Elderly East Kilbride residents are taping up their letterboxes in fear after two cars were firebombed in the same street just days apart.
The latest incidents, in Newlandsmuir, came to light after Lanarkshire Live reported on a firebomb attack in Calderwood this week.
Kyle Wilson’s Mazda6 Estate was written off after the unprovoked attack which was caught on doorbell cam.
After reading our report, a grandparent came forward claiming they were the victim of a similar attack the day before (October 17) and highlighted a third attack on their neighbour’s car three days later (October 20).
Too afraid to provide their name or street, the shaken resident told us their whole street is living in fear.
But police say there is no evidence to suggest the latest incidents are connected to the Cadell Gardens attack, which Lanarkshire Live understands is not being investigated any further.
Commenting on the events in Newlandsmuir, the resident said: “A neighbour chapped the door at around 8.30pm to say he saw someone throw something at our car and run away. The next thing I saw my car was on fire.
“We had a fire extinguisher, fortunately, so we got the fire out very quickly.
“Police and CID said that nine times out of 10 it’s a revenge attack, drug-related or it could be a case of mistaken identity.
“When we said we thought it was just kids we were told that was rare, kids break wing mirrors.
“They put the fear of God into us. We had to go through any past vendettas, any arguments - the whole process was really intrusive. We’re grandparents, we don’t mix in those kind of circles.”
A bottle of clear accelerant was later found discarded next to the car.
It is believed a toilet roll had been lit and thrown at the front of the car causing around £100 worth of damage to the windscreen.
Days later a fire crew was called out to extinguish the neighbour’s car which was targeted at around 2.30am.
The resident added: “We spoke to the people who had their car done on the Friday. It was right up against their house and they set fire to the front of their car. Fortunately someone saw it and alerted them because it could have set the house on fire.
“That was a serious one, they’ve got young children. That could have caused serious damage to property and to life.
“We’re all on high alert and I know the other family are very shaken.
“Everyone in this street is living a worst case scenario. It’s all elderly, retired people here. They’ve all got their outside lights on all the time and we’re getting security cameras installed.
“They’re actually taping up their letterboxes, they’re in a complete state of fear. We’ve fit a broomstick to stop the letterbox from opening.
“Round here you do feel pretty safe, you don’t ever see young people walking around so it’s very unusual for something like this to happen here.
“You end up watching your back all the time and feeling quite paranoid.”
The resident also revealed the family’s frustration over the lack of information being shared by police, adding that it makes them feel even more unsafe.
“I told the police I was really disappointed that no one let us know that there was other incidents or let that other poor boy know because of the state of fear he was in”, they went on.
“Two incidents like this on the same night is really unusual. At this point in time you can’t rule out that they’re not connected so they should have let the people involved know that there have been other incidents which would actually have helped put our mind at ease.
“I would’ve felt safer having more information.
“I don’t know if this is a new trend where kids are setting fire to things in the lead up to Bonfire Night but maybe this will encourage more people to come forward who have seen something or been a victim of something similar.”
It is understood two suspects were captured on dashcam fleeing the scene of Tuesday’s attack in Newlandsmuir but this has not been confirmed by police.
East Kilbride Police Sergeant Scott Anderson told us that due to time of night and quality of CCTV footage they have no suspects or credible descriptions at this time.
He said that police are unable to establish a link between the fireraisings due to the nature of the crime, adding that there is "no reason" for residents to tape their letterboxes.
If anyone has any information contact police on 101, alternatively information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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