Suspected arson attacks believed to be linked

The second attack happened before 20:00 GMT on Wednesday

A spate of suspected arson attacks in a town are believed to be linked, police have said.

Durham Police said two men on a scooter threw a brick through the window of a house on Lilburne Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday evening, before pouring petrol through it and setting it alight.

One person was inside the house but was unharmed, the force said.

A spokeswoman said it was believed the fire was connected to a similar blaze which also destroyed two cars in Beechfield on Monday.

Two cars were destroyed in the blaze which happened in Beechfield on Monday

Police said at the time the attack was not believed to have been "random" and there was no threat to the wider community.

The force said inquiries had identified a number of suspects.