How the strength of a community won the battle against a callous arsonist

Senior detectives have thanked the people of Bradley Stoke and the surrounding area after Daniel Cron was jailed
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On a quiet, warm Spring evening last year, a series of devastating fires broke out across north Bristol. Quickly, social media was filled with dramatic images of the sky lit up by the burning vehicles in and around Bradley Stoke.

As the sun came up the following day - Sunday, April 3 - the devastation was revealed with more than 20 vehicles destroyed, including a fleet of buses belong to the valuable Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport service.

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Avon and Somerset Police immediately started a hunt for those behind the arson attacks - and an appeal was put out for help from the local communities in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Patchway, and Stoke Gifford.

Yesterday, nine months on, Daniel Cron was jailed for three years at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to setting fire to the 20 vehicles - it was a conviction put down to the support of local people appalled by what had happened.

Cron’s objective that night may remain unknown today, but what is clear, is the strength of a community in Bradley Stoke, a place once nick-named Sadly Broke because of the number of homes in negative equity as a result of the increase in interest rates in the 1990s.

Dozens of people submitted more than 30 pieces of footage from private CCTV, doorbell cameras and dashcams in a bid to help detectives catch Cron in the days following the fire. And it was this evidence which helped officers piece together the route Cron took that night, and, crucially, identify him.

Avon and Somerset Police has provided a timeline of the arson attacks in north BristolAvon and Somerset Police has provided a timeline of the arson attacks in north Bristol
Avon and Somerset Police has provided a timeline of the arson attacks in north Bristol
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At the time, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Greaves called the public response ‘tremendous’, and yesterday Inspector Steve Davey added more praise. He said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support we received from the public following our appeals.

“Their help in providing us with footage saved a lot of valuable police time and enabled us to quickly put together a route Cron and the other man took and provided the evidence we needed to secure this conviction.”

It should also not be forgotten that numerous offers of help were also made for those impacted by the withdrawal of the Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport service. Chairman Dick Whittington had people offering lifts to supermarkets and hospital appointments with many of his vehicles were out of action.

Over half of the Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport modified buses were destroyedOver half of the Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport modified buses were destroyed
Over half of the Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport modified buses were destroyed

“You only have to ask in Bradley Stoke and someone will offer to help,” said Councillor Angela Morey told Bristol World at the time of the incident. “It’s amazing how kind and generous everyone in the area is. If there was a campaign ready to go, I’m sure everyone would do what they can.”

So, while much of the media focus may be on Cron’s actions that night, the aftermath of the incident should also highlight the strength of community in and around Bradley Stoke.