Officers investigating a suspected arson attack at a bus depot in Tividale, Sandwell last week have identified the youths involved through a concerned parent’s report.

Last Thursday (24 January) police were alerted to a large fire involving buses at the Tipton Road depot just before 10pm. Over £200,000 worth of damage was caused when four buses were severely damaged. Enquiries began but unfortunately there were no substantial leads until a parent who overhead her daughter admitting setting fire to a bus came forward and asked to speak to one of our Tipton neighbourhood officers.

It turns out Tipton neighbourhood officer PC John Tranter had had previous dealings with the family and, trusting PC Tranter would be able to get to the bottom of the matter, the mother arranged for a voluntary interview with her daughter. The girl was interviewed and has been referred to a youth offending team who will investigate thoroughly and decide an appropriate punishment. PC Tranter said:

“Although this is a serious act of criminal damage which could have harmed many people, I think the importance of neighbourhood policing and trust in local officers has been highlighted here.

“The bus company are pleased the matter is being resolved and I would personally like to thank the parent for doing the right thing and coming forward.”

Two further youths who are suspected of being involved have since been identified and will be spoken to in due course.

Anyone with any further information on the incident is asked to contact officers quoting crime reference 20SW/212374U/19. You can get in touch via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.