Detectives are appealing for more information and have released CCTV images
Detectives are appealing for more information and have released CCTV images
13:48, 03 Feb 2026Updated 13:48, 03 Feb 2026
A police van which was parked up near a Merseyside police station was destroyed after being set on fire last weekend. A resident shared pictures of the van engulfed in flames online on Sunday, February 1.
Merseyside Police said the van was found on fire on Leathers Lane in Halewood, close to Halewood Police Station, just after 6.30am on Sunday. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called to tackle the blaze. Leathers Lane was closed temporarily to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.
Today, Tuesday (February 3), detectives have issued CCTV images of a man on a red pedal bike that they believe could help with their investigation.
Detective Inspector Richard Shillito said: “Although the images are not very clear, the man is riding a bright red coloured pedal bike which heads away from Hunts Cross towards Widnes.
“If you live in the area and saw a man on this bike near the police station at around 6.20am on Sunday, or might have captured the offender on doorbell footage or dashcam footage before, during or after the incident, please do get in touch.
“It is despicable to think that anyone would target a police vehicle in this way.
“Our vehicles are used to transport officers to serious incidents across Merseyside, including disorder and anti-social behaviour, domestic incidents, assaults, sexual offences and more.
“Damaging police vehicles in this way risks seriously impacting our ability to do our job and from being able to safeguard victims of crime and bring offenders to justice.
“Thankfully the vehicle was not occupied and no members of the public, police officers or firefighters were hurt while dealing with this incident, but the consequences of setting a police van alight could have been even more severe.
“I want to reassure our communities that while the cost of replacing the vehicle will be significant, we will not allow this incident to undermine our efforts to target criminals and safeguard victims.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its fire crew was alerted at 6.34am and one fire engine arrived at the scene seven minutes later, where they found the police van on fire.
One firefighter wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire. Once extinguished, the fire crew handed the scene over to Merseyside Police and left at 7.11am.
Anyone with further CCTV footage of this incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook “Merseyside Police Contact Centre” with reference 26000086783.
You can also report information via the website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via the website here: Giving information | Crimestoppers. In an emergency always call 999.
