A MUM has hit out at "purge mentality" during the coronavirus lockdown after her son's car was torched by suspected arsonists.

The blaze was so intense it even spread to her own car.

Police released an appeal yesterday after nine vehicles were set alight in Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Batley, overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old male were arrested, with police still looking to trace a further suspect.

One of the victims of the spate of arson - who wished to remain anonymous - described the devastation of seeing hardworking people having their possessions destroyed.

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She said: "Seeing my son's new car being burnt into nothing and watching him being helpless is nothing any mum wants to see.

"Then the fire attaching to my car.

"I nearly tried to move it, but I'm glad I didn't because I was told, if I did, I could have died with turning the engine on and the fire coming through the engine with it running.

"The fire engine took over an hour to put it out and got to us in time before my car went fully up in flames."

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The mother is worried that this kind of mindless vandalism and disregard for others could be around for a while during the UK's coronavirus lockdown, saying people are "calling it the purge".

The Purge is a film franchise based around the concept of an annual national holiday in which all crimes are legal for a 12-hour period, with the majority of people "bunkering down" for safety.

A post emerged on social media relating to this concept in recent days, which had been shared and circulated.

It said: "Welcome to the purge motherf**kers... see you soon peaches you know who you are."

The mother said: "I have seen some stuff on Facebook recently about the purge if we go on lockdown.

"People don't just set cars on fire when we are innocent people that have normal jobs.

"People are all blaming other people thinking everything's a criminal situation.

"But this is far from this, this is because of this film - everyone is on lockdown too in the film, so people go out destroying things.

"This won't stop, as I've seen the other cars which were reported and their house doors and windows got burnt too."

The lockdown period - which is set to last three weeks - also presents problems when trying to resolve these unfortunate circumstances.

The mother outlined the issues they would now face and urged others to be vigilant.

She said: "Hire cars can not get given out with everything going on with isolating

"If you have a car, please don't leave it under your living room window, if you park your car on the front drive.

"More cars in different areas are being burnt out."

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