Car arson figures have exploded across Essex - with the number of attacks doubling in the past six years.
New figures published by the Government show a 104 per cent rise in the torching of cars in the county since 1997.
Billericay and District MP John Baron said: "Such crimes can have a disproportionate effect on communities and the Government must give police more support in addressing this immediately."
He criticised the Government for failing to address the problem after promising to cut the number of arson attacks by a third.
In December last year, the Evening Echo investigated the widespread problem of arson across south Essex, uncovering an ingrained culture to using fires as a way of getting rid of unwanted vehicles.
However, according to Basildon fire safety officer Jack Imrie car arsons have been in decline this year - contradicting the MP's statement.
He said: "There certainly remains a problem with arson but it is improving - even looking year on year there has been improvement since 2000."
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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