A suspect has been arrested in Hartlepool after eight cars were torched in the middle of the night. 

In the early hours of Friday (August 18), there were multiple car fires in the Hartlepool area, with emergency services in attendance. 

Police received reports of fires on Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road, all in Hartlepool. 

Martin Hopps, the district commander for Hartlepool, said: "Eight vehicles have been ignited across Hartlepool, in what appears to be a random attack.

Read more: First pictures of Hartlepool car fires after residents evacuated

"It appears to have been done by one suspect - we have arrested one person."

Residents have had their vehicles torched, and homes, gardens, and pathways residually damaged by the heat.

Some were evacuated in the night, and others were stuck in their houses whilst the fire service and police dealt with the incident. 

When asked whether this had been a considered attack, district commander Hopps said: "There has to be an element of planning to something like this."

Cleveland Police have now appealed to anyone with information about the attack, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to get in touch. 

Earlier today, police said: "Emergency services are currently dealing with multiple vehicle fires across the Hartlepool area.

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"Police received reports of fires on Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road.

"A small number of residents have been evacuated and officers are urging people to avoid the area whilst emergency services deal with the incident.

"Anyone with information about any of the incidents should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 164288.