TERRIFYING footage shows the moment two anonymous thugs set a resident’s brand new car ablaze – which he had bought to replace his previous motor that was also set alight.
Majeed – whose full name has been kept anonymous – was at home in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire in the early hours of Tuesday morning when he claims to have noticed a bright orange light outside.
The 41-year-old was left aghast as he discovered his car had been set on fire right in his own driveway, and rushed out to battle the blaze with neighbours as his children slept just feet away from the flames.
Despite efforts and the assistance of a fire engine, the car was left inoperable, marking the second time in just over a month that Majeed’s motor has been destroyed.
The dad claims that just weeks prior, his rented taxi was set on fire – resulting in him being fired from his job as a taxi driver before he could resign, and having lost all his savings.
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.
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 a parked white car, which appears to be the target of the arson.
Two people can then be seen walking towards the car and stopping in their tracks as they scope the neighbourhood for witnesses to their crime.
One vandal is dressed in black clothes and a hoodie, and carries a rucksack on their back.
The other vandal is wearing a black and white puffer jacket, a black hat and black jeans, and appears to be stockily built compared to their lanky accomplice.
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.
In a sinister final touch, the other vandal then lights a match, tossing it on to the trail of petrol which immediately erupts in flames.
The haunting flames linger dangerously close to the front door of Majeed’s home before snaking across to the black car parked on the road.
Speaking to Majeed today, he 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 started to work 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 flame 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.
“It’s not an insurance job, it’s lives. 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.”
