Police say they have arrested six people and stepped up patrols with drop in sessions to reassure the community following the spate of arson and criminal damage attacks in Northallerton.

The incidents involved vehicles being burned, property damaged and windows smashed. One family were devastated after their son's specialist buggy was destroyed when vehicles were set ablaze.

North Yorkshire Police have now issued a statement to reassure residents that the offences are believed to be self-contained, meaning there is little risk of the wider public being targeted, and suspects have been arrested.

Northallerton Neighbourhood Policing team said it has been working closely with the community.

It launched extra patrols in and around the Meadow Lane area where the attacks happened with drop-in sessions which are being advertised locally. They have also been working with other organisations to develop information and provide community support.

The incidents took place in July, August and September. There were two particularly concerning incidents when arson attacks took place with cars set on fire in Linden Road on August 21 and another in Meadow Lane on August 22.

In the first incident a family was forced to flee their home, concerned for their safety as they were woken in the early hours of the morning after two cars were set on fire on Sydney Avenue East and the flames started to cover the wall of the property and come towards their home.

An appeal raised hundreds of pounds to help the family replace a special buggy for their child.

Sergeant Chris Hughes, of Northallerton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It’s understandable if residents have concerns about what’s been happening in and around Meadow Lane.

“I’d like to reassure people that we’ve been carrying out thorough investigations, making arrests and taking action to ensure people feel safe in their community.

“While some of these incidents are serious, they are isolated and self-contained. That means there is very little risk to the wider public.”

The force revealed six people, aged between their teens and late 30s, have been arrested over the past three weeks.

They were taken into police custody and bailed pending further investigations.

Police are continuing to appeal for information, and say anyone with information about crime in their community can share it with North Yorkshire Police using the reporting service on the force’s website, or by calling 101. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency call 999.