Thugs set man's new car on fire after previous vehicle 'set alight'

Terrifying footage shows moment two thugs set man’s new car on fire – which he’d bought after he claimed previous vehicle was also set alight

• Thugs were caught on CCTV setting the vehicle ablaze in Lincolnshire this week
• Victim Majeed believes he and his family are being ‘targeted’ by the individuals 

Terrifying footage shows the moment two thugs set a taxi driver’s brand new car ablaze – which he had bought to replace his previous motor that he says was set alight just weeks earlier.

Majeed was at home in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire in the early hours of Tuesday  morning when he said he noticed a bright orange light outside.

The 41-year-old was left aghast as he discovered his white car had been set on fire in his own driveway, and rushed out to battle the blaze with neighbours as his children slept just feet away from the flames.

Despite his own efforts and those of firefighters, the car was left inoperable, marking the second time in just over a month that Majeed’s motor has been destroyed.

The family have been left reeling as a result of the terrifying attack, with Majeed scared to leave his own home as he believes he and his family are now being targeted. 

Two people were pictured approaching the car, which was parked on Majeed’s driveway

The car erupted in a ball of flames after the pair were seen to be pouring gasoline over it

 CCTV footage from Majeed’s home shows the empty residential street at 2:19am on Tuesday morning.

Majeed’s black car can be seen parked on the side of the road just outside his property entrance, whilst in the driveway is his parked white Audi, the target of the attack.

Two people can then be seen walking towards the car and stopping in their tracks as they assess the neighbourhood.

One is dressed in black clothes and a hoodie, and carries a rucksack on their back.

The other is wearing a black and white puffer jacket, a black hat and black jeans, and appears to be stockily built.

Both also look to have their faces covered by masks, deeming them unrecognisable to any potential witnesses.

The pair appear to be conversing as they stand next to the car parked on the street, before strolling over to the white car in the driveway.

The slimmer of the two produces a green canister of fuel, which he pours across the driveway and over the car.

The other then lights a match, tossing it on to the trail of petrol which immediately erupts in a ball of flames.

The white Audi was targeted by two thugs in the dead of night on Tuesday

Majeed said that despite assistance from firefighters, the car is now unusable

It is the second time that Majeed’s car has gone up in flames in just over a month

It came just a few weeks after a taxi Majeed was renting went up in flames – which he believes was also the result of someone setting it on fire.

Having already planned to resign from the taxi job, he was fired following the damage to the car and also said he lost his savings.

On Friday, Majeed said: ‘I have been in the UK since 2003, nearly 20 years with my wife and our life was beautiful.

‘We never had any problems or any issues with anyone at all. I had a business in Cleethorpes and after some time, I decided to change my job to be free to spend time with the kids.

‘I started to rent the taxi off a guy and [worked] for a year and a month.

‘I had thought it would be too risky a job and that there would be too many problems all the time, but I personally never had any problems during that year with any houses or any clients.

‘I never had any complaints and then I decided to stop renting the taxi as it was costing a lot of money.

‘That night, I was getting ready to go to sleep but wasn’t asleep yet. I heard a massive bang and quickly saw the flames coming out.

‘I ran to the car but it was totally written off – unfortunately burnt – it was burning from the inside.

‘I fetched water in a mop bucket and tried to put it out by myself. It was very dangerous and was coming into the driveway – it was almost at my kids’ window.

‘The older neighbour then came out of her house with a garden hose and put herself at risk for me. Two or three actually came out and tried to help.’

Majeed revealed he is now left terrified by the attacks, explaining: ‘I have a very good reputation here in the town but unfortunately someone’s targeted me.

‘Suddenly, in five weeks, my life has turned upside down. I can’t leave the house. I’m worried about my kids. Anything could happen.

‘The first fire, I accepted it. The second time was my own car that I bought only four weeks ago – it was a huge amount of money and someone burnt it just to target me.

‘I need to find out who’s behind this to make sure it won’t happen again. We need help to stop this. What will happen if it happens again for a third time? The police need to do something.

‘Now, it’s not about cars. It’s about lives – me, my family, my neighbours.

‘What shocked me is the police officer said to leave the other car outside the drive in case someone burns it again, so it’s away from the house.

‘I’ve lost my job now, I’ve lost my savings. I have to keep my family safe at night. I don’t feel protected at all after what happened for the second time.

‘I didn’t see any response to a serious crime. The way [the vandals] did it means they’ve done it before.’

‘Catch these guys and keep them away from the road. This could happen to anyone, it’s not how things should be.’

Humberside Police have been contacted for comment. 

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