Four vehicles were torched in a shocking racist attack at a car garage in Midlothian.
Police are investigating a hate crime after several vehicles were set on fire and racist graffiti was left scrawled on the walls at Loanhead Car Sales on the town's Clerk Street.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 5.10am on Saturday, March 13, after the alarm was raised.
Devastated owner Rajvir Singh told Edinburgh Live two of his vehicles were melted and are now written off, and a further two have been damaged beyond repair.
He said: "I got a phonecall at about 5am to say there'd been a fire. I only live ten minutes away but when I got there all the police and fire engines were already there.
"Four of the cars were set on fire and another three were damaged with racist messages, saying 'paki' and all that.
"It's really bad, especially as it was racist. We've been here for the last five years, so for something like this to happen is very disappointing.
"I've lost four cars, and that's a lot of money, especially right now."
The vehicles set alight were a BMW 1 Series, two Ford Transits and a Vauxhall Astra. Rajvir estimates the value of the damage caused to be in excess of £30,000.
Police say there were no reports of any injuries following the incident, but they are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.
Detective Constable John Lumsden of Dalkeith CID said: “Due to racist graffiti on the vehicles, we are currently treating this as a hate crime.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time of the incident to get in touch if they have any information or dash-cam footage which may assist with our investigation.
“We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the area or who witnessed the fire.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 0663 of March 13, 2021. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
