THREE men have been released on conditional bail after a Land Rover was torched near York.

North Yorkshire Police said yesterday that three men, aged 21, 27 and 29, had been arrested after a Land Rover Freelander was set alight on the A166 near Dunnington on Tuesday night.

A Nissan was also destroyed in another suspected arson attack in Outgang Lane, Murton, the same night.

A spokesman for the force said today: "All three men have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue into the incident."

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SHOCKED residents have told how armed police swarmed through a village near York after people wearing balaclavas jumped out of a Land Rover and it was torched.

Dunnington villagers spoke out after the Freelander was completely destroyed by fire on the A166 just outside the village and a Nissan was also destroyed in another suspected arson attack in Outgang Lane, Murton, last night.

The Land Rover occupants are said to have fled into Dunnington and then through gardens and over fences in Church Lane.

York Press:

One Church Lane resident told The Press today: "It was like watching Police Camera Action! on TV - the police were everywhere, in vans and big BMWs, and they were armed."

Another said at least five police vans and cars were parked up near his home and he saw numerous armed officers in the road. "They were here. there and everywhere," he said.

He added that people had climbed over garden fences and someone's fence was smashed during the incident.

A motorist told The Press he saw the Land Rover being driven along the A166 with a smashed rear window and a flat tyre, which scattered tyre debris along the road.

He said: "I saw the vehicle stop and four people all wearing balaclavas got out. They were carrying a bag and a long implement - maybe a pick axe handle or bolt croppers.

"Two or three ran away towards Dunnington and the other ran round to the passenger side and lit something and threw it in, and it went up, and the person ran off.

"When the fire brigade arrived, it took them a while to get it out."

North Yorkshire Police said that three men had been arrested following an incident at about 7.15pm last night.

"Police were called to the A166 in Dunnington, York, with reports a Landrover Freelander was on fire," said a spokeswoman.

"The three men, aged 21, 27 and 29, remain in police custody while inquiries continue."

She appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact police on 101.