Arsonists wreck mobile phone unit

Arsonists caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to a mobile phone unit in Castleton.

Around 2am on Wednesday 17 March 2010, a fire was found in a control unit for the mast.

The mast is situated at the top of a car park at The Royal Toby Hotel, Manchester Road, Castleton and it is believed the offenders got into the car park from open ground between Gypsy Lane and the hotel.

The offenders forced open the doors to the mobile phone unit and started a fire.

No one was injured but a large amount of damage was caused.

Detective Constable Nick Price of Rochdale CID said: “The fire caused a huge amount of damage to the inside of the control unit and it is probably by sheer luck that no one was injured in the blaze.

“The open ground by Gypsy Lane and the hotel is used a lot by dog walkers and as a cut through for local residents. If anyone was in the area between 7pm on Tuesday 16 March and 2am on Wednesday 17 March and saw anything unusual, then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1977 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.