Street attack and shop arson linked, say police

Anyone with any information regarding the deliberate fire has been asked to contact the police

Two men have appeared in court charged with affray and possession of a bladed article after a man was attacked in the street.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries after being attacked in Millfield, Peterborough on Tuesday.

On Thursday morning, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Services and police officers responded to a fire on Gladstone Street, which they believe was started deliberately after petrol was poured over a shop door.

No-one was injured in the arson attack but it is believed to be linked to the street attack, Cambridgeshire Police said.

A 27-year-old man from Peterborough has appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court charged with affray, robbery, threatening a person with a bladed article, possession of bladed article, grievously bodily harm (GBH) and false imprisonment.

An 18-year-old man also from Peterborough appeared at the same court charged with affray, robbery, threatening a person with a bladed article, possession of a bladed article, false imprisonment and GBH.

Anyone with any information regarding the deliberate fire has been asked to contact the police.