How Essex officers and firefighters snared serial arsonist

An arsonist who started a string of fires across Harwich, causing significant damage to a unique and historic lightboat, has been jailed following a fast-paced investigation.

Christopher Parker, 34, left the historic LV18, moored at Harwich Quay, irreparably damaged after embarking on an arson spree across the town in February.

The 1958 vessel is unique, and its operational lantern is activated several times a year to support quayside community activities and festivals in Harwich.

The total cost of damage to the boat was estimated at £250,000.

Alongside fire service colleagues, we were called out to the scene on the evening of Friday 2 February.

Separate fires, damaging a van in Station Approach and the interior of Harwich Railway Museum, were reported across the same evening.

Tony O’Neil, from the Pharos Trust, which owns and maintains the LV18, said:

“The emergency services were all extraordinary, the police response and the fire service.
“We had 12 fire engines in total quickly working to extinguish the fire. If they hadn’t been that responsive, working immediately to put it out, it could have been even worse.
“The collaboration between Essex fire service and the police was a real result and a proper response.”

Identifying the suspect

Officers were quick to speak to witnesses and examine CCTV footage surrounding each of the locations.

This work identified a man wearing distinctive clothing, including a black Nike tracksuit, white trainers and black puffer jacket.

This description matched the profile of a man spoken to by officers near the scene and in the immediate aftermath of the lightboat fire.

Assessing the evidence

This man, identified as Parker, of Alexandra Street, Harwich, was arrested on 4 February.

Clothing was seized and matched that worn by the individual pictured in the CCTV footage.

His shoes matched prints taken from the scenes, including from a door at Harwich Railway Station and from the area around the LV18 lightboat.

Put before the courts

He admitted three counts of arson and appeared for sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 7 June.

His Honour Judge Wilkin told Parker it remained unclear why he had targeted the properties, with his actions causing “deep and long-lasting impact”.

Parker was jailed for five years.

'This will stay with me for a long time'

In a victim impact statement, Mr O'Neil said:

“Initially the shock of the incident was numbed by what we saw.
“To watch 24 years of my life go up in smoke was hard to watch. I had to watch as it took five hours to put it out and a further two hours to cool it down.
“The aftereffects since then have been numbing on both me and my wife and to be able to cope under those circumstances with all the other things you have to deal with.
“Dealing with the police, the fire service, forensics, insurance companies, it all has an effect on you.
“Since the incident, I am left explaining the same story to members of the public and if it was not for the majority of them being supportive, it could have been a lot worse.
“That is the only saving grace really that has lifted my spirits.
“I have worked on this project for the past 24 years with various grants and interest from the local council, the press and of course the people of Harwich.
“I would guess that around £600,000 has been provided in grants for the restoration project of the LV18 ship.
“So it’s not just my life work, it’s every single person and company that has supported the project in that time.
“On board was also my own personal collection of old radios and TVs which I donated to the charity, which is irreplaceable.
“I look out of my window and I have to see what’s happened.
“That is going to stay with me for a long time. I can’t put it into words how much this project means to me or the community of Harwich and I just don’t understand what you have gained out of your actions.
“The boat was built in 1958, and over the years has been subject to a variety of pirate radio broadcasts.
“The ship has a vast history which has all gone up in smoke.”

Detective Constable Ben Stammers, of Clacton CID, said:

“Parker’s actions in starting these fires were utterly reckless.
“He has failed to offer an explanation for his actions, which makes the fact he caused such devastation to the Harwich community all the more concerning.
“His actions in setting these fires were purposeful – proved by the fact he used an accelerant to ensure they caught hold and caused significant damage.
“Right from the outset of this investigation, we knew we had to act fast to identify the person responsible and limit any further damage to property and risk to life in Harwich.
“Through our trawling of CCTV and forensic opportunities at the scene of the fires, including analysis of footprints and the clothing seized from Parker, we were able to irrefutably link him to these incidents.
“His actions have had a huge impact, in particular on a valued and irreplaceable community asset in the LV18 lightboat.
“While those who operate the boat will work tirelessly to see it restored, nothing will return the hours of hard work they have put into maintaining this piece of history.”

Andre Turner, Fire Investigation Team Manager with Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“We want people to know that if they start fires deliberately, we have the expertise to help the police track them down.
"Our fire investigation team is second to none and we are dedicated to helping the police bring arsonists to justice.
“The conviction of the Harwich arsonist is just the latest in a string of successful convictions we have helped with.
"I’m proud of the work our fire investigation team have been involved with, it is testament to what can be achieved when emergency services work together.”

At Essex Police we put victims at the heart of everything we do. The Victims’ Code explains the rights that everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime, and helps us define what we must do for all victims from their initial contact with our force until the conclusion of their case.

Find out more about the code and to understand the rights of a victim of crime, on our support for victims and witnesses of crime page.

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