Prison officers at HMP Altcourse fear a targeted campaign after two cars belonging to staff were torched outside the privately run jail.
The two cars were set alight at 11.45pm on Friday, November 4, sustaining "significant damage". Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended the Fazakerley prison and extinguished the fire, with officers from Merseyside Police also attending.
A police spokeswoman said the force has now established that two offenders walked into the carpark from Brookfield Drive and approached the cars before they were set on fire. They then ran off in the same direction.
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A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police.
A staff member at the prison, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the ECHO there have been a number of incidents including tyres being slashed in the car park. The source said that as Altcourse houses local criminals, staff feel their vehicles are vulnerable.
A spokesman for G4S, which operates HMP Altcourse, said: "Our employees play a vital role and we are working with the police and fire brigade to support their investigation and secure a prosecution. We have enhanced our security measures to protect our employees and their vehicles as they continue to deliver a key service at HMP Altcourse."
Inspector Paul Rannard, of Merseyside Police, said: “Although nobody was injured, this was a dangerous incident that caused significant damage to the cars involved and could have spread to other vehicles in the carpark. We understand the concern that such incidents can cause in such places and are acting on all information provided to remove such risks.
“Detectives would like to hear from businesses in the area or anyone who was on Brookfield Drive at around 11.45pm and saw or heard anything or captured anyone running from the area on their own dashcam or CCTV footage. Any information could be vital as this investigation continues.”
Anyone who has any information can contact us by DM via our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 22000812013.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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