Man in 50s held after cancer charity shop is torched causing 'substantial damage'

At approximately 4am, police received a report that a fire had broken out in a shop in the Market Street area at the southern end of the town centre, and also a report that a window had been smashed on a door of a second business close by.

The PSNI and firefighters attended and put out the blaze, but the police said “a substantial amount of damage was caused to the shop”.

The force added: “A short time later, officers arrested a man aged in his 50s on suspicion of arson and criminal damage.

Image of the burned shop from Connie Egan MLA

“He remains in police custody at this time.

“We are treating this as arson and enquiries are ongoing. I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or to anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with our investigation, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 176 of 28/08/24.”

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/”

Connie Egan, Alliance MLA for North Down, said: “Extremely upsetting and shocking scenes at Action Cancer on Market Street, Bangor this morning.

“Action Cancer provides incredible support for those with cancer; it’s devastating to see their shop in this state this morning. Please contact PSNI if you have any information.”