Cleveland Police van set ablaze in 'disgusting' attack

A street warden saw the blaze and alerted police

A police van was destroyed after being set alight in a "disgusting attack" on Teesside.

Cleveland Police said the vehicle was targeted on Doxford Walk, Middlesbrough, shortly after 19:00 BST on Wednesday.

No-one was injured as the officers working from the vehicle were at a nearby address when the fire started.

A 31-year-old man from Middlesbrough has been arrested on suspicion of arson and remains in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Graham said: "This is a shocking and disgusting attack on an emergency services vehicle, which now has to be taken off the road, impacting the service we provide to the public and at a cost of thousands to the public purse.

"Our officers and staff are all leaving their families to deliver a service on the front line during these unprecedented times.

"They are just as concerned as everyone else about what is happening, and are having to adapt to changes in their home and working lives as key workers."

The force said it was a "disgusting attack" at a time when its officers are working to safeguard people during the lockdown

The fire melted much of the van's interior