Four people arrested in connection with 'criminal activity' after Wingate fires

Four people were arrested over the weekend in connection with ‘recent criminal activity’ in the Wingate area, Durham Constabulary has said.

All four remain in custody and are being questioned by detectives.

It comes after police presence in the village was stepped up and a dispersal order put in place following two suspected arson attacks on an ex-Marine officer’s family home.

Sean Ivey’s house, car and caravan were set alight in the early hours of Thursday morning, 18 March while the family were asleep inside property. Mr Ivey, his wife and their two children were able to escape the fire and told of their horror following the incident.

Speaking of the first blaze, Mr Ivey said: “Luckily we all escaped the fire but it could have been a lot worse, there was so much smoke and the flames just kept getting bigger, it was awful.

"We can’t believe it, we are so distraught and upset that this has happened to our family.”

A second fire broke out at the property just 24 hours later on Friday, March 19.

Durham Constabulary have said inquiries into the cause of last week’s fire are continuing.

Two men, who were arrested last week on suspicion of arson have been released on police bail, although one has been charged with an unrelated offence of handling stolen goods.

Inspector Emma Kay said: “We had additional patrols out in the village over the weekend and that extra police presence will continue.

“We would urge anyone who has information to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible”.