Rise in the number of stolen cars torched in the Tweed
STOLEN cars are being lit up and left abandoned in isolated areas of the Tweed.
Last month, Tweed-Byron Local Area Command Sergeant Stuart Crawford said the police had seen a rise in the number of abandoned and stolen cars being set alight.
But Tweed Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Chris Perrin said it was not out of control.
"We're not ridiculously over burdened with them," he said.
"We've seen three in the last eight weeks so it's not considered a spate."
Station officer Perrin said slightly more than half of the car fires they attended were stolen vehicles that were torched.
"It also depends where they're located," he said.
"Bilambil, Piggabeen and remote areas there's more stolen vehicle."
He speculated it was mostly for fraudulent insurance claims.
Crime manager Brendon Cullen said burnt out cars were more the exception than the rule and it was not a large issue.
"That being said, there have been some," he said.
Late last month the Rural Fire Service was called to a car fire at Crystal Creek out the front of the town's school.
It was fully engulfed when the fire fighters arrived at the scene just after midnight.
