Police Probe Two Arson Attacks on Cars in Bothwell

Police in South Lanarkshire have launched an investigation into two deliberate arson attacks on cars in the village of Bothwell, prompting renewed calls from residents for enhanced security measures amid a series of similar incidents.

The first fire occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, when a vehicle was set ablaze on Baillie Drive. Three days later, at approximately 10:50 p.m. on Monday, January 5, another car was targeted at the same location. In both cases, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly and extinguished the flames, with no injuries reported. Officers from Police Scotland are treating the blazes as wilful acts of arson, and enquiries continue to identify those responsible.

Local authorities have linked these events to a broader pattern of fire-related crimes in Bothwell. Since 2021, records obtained through a Freedom of Information request indicate at least 27 incidents involving deliberate fires on properties and vehicles in the area. More recently, four restaurants have been targeted in arson attacks, two of which took place since September 2025. The community has grown increasingly concerned, with residents pointing to a lack of...