Investigation launched after car deliberately set on fire outside Peterhead prison

An investigation has been launched after a car was deliberately set on fire outside a prison in Peterhead.

Emergency services were called around 1.15am on Tuesday morning following reports of a Citroen C3 Cactus on fire in the car park of HMP & YOI Grampian on South Road.

The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and there were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is being treated as wilful, and police say enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Sergeant Richard Cooper said: “Thankfully, no one was injured; however, the consequences of this dangerous and reckless act could have been much more serious.

“We are working with the Scottish Prison Service to make sure we find who is responsible for this fire.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information which could assist to contact us.

“I would also appeal to anyone driving in the area with dash-cam or anyone nearby with personal footage to please check their recordings and get in touch if it holds anything relevant.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0213 of September 2, 2025.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We can confirm that an incident took place within the car park of HMP & YOI Grampian in the early hours of September 2.

“Scottish Fire and Rescue were called, and no injuries were sustained.

“The matter has been reported to Police Scotland and we are supporting them with their investigations.”