VANDALS have cost a social landlord £20,000 in damage and lost income by carrying out a spate of arson attacks on garages in north Durham Derwentside Homes tenants have had their vehicles and property destroyed in the fires in recent months.

A reward of £2,000 is being offered for information leading to the successful conviction of those responsible for the five garage attacks.

Shelagh McGinn, head of housing services at Derwentside Homes, said: "We are working closely with the police and fire service to find out who’s responsible for these arson attacks and to bring the person or persons responsible to justice.

"We’d like to urge tenants to make sure their belongings are covered by insurance otherwise they are at risk of suffering a substantial loss in the event of a fire.

"We have also been reminding tenants that the garages are to be used for vehicle storage only."

Derwentside Homes is working with police and the to raise awareness and target crime hotspots.

Sergeant Martin Willis, of the Stanley Police, said: "Not only does crime of this nature cause huge distress to the victims but it clearly carries a knock on effect for all Derwentside Homes’ tenants and puts those who deal with the incidents at huge risk.

"We would welcome any information that might assist our investigation and will pursue every possible avenue to bring these offenders to justice."

The first arson attack took place in the Chester Road area of Stanley during the early hours of February 19, destroying two garages.

The incident was followed by three more arson attacks, again in the early hours of the morning, at East Street in Shield Row and Shakespeare Close in Stanley on March 10, April 8 and April 11.

Peter Hewitson, assistant district manager of Derwentside Fire Service, added: "The service has attended five garage fires where the premises have been destroyed and have also involved three cars inside these garages.

"The anticipated costs in damage to the owners is £35,000, with additional costs to the fire service of £10,000.

"This is an unwarranted drain on the fire service and we are in staunch support of any initiative that might lead to the identification of the perpetrator(s) of these incidents."

Residents who have any information about the fires should contact either Derwentside Homes on 01207-291450, Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365 or the fire service on 01207-502912.