POLICE are set to distribute leaflets and posters tonight in an appeal for residents to come forward and help catch the “cowardly” arsonists responsible for petrol-bombing an elderly couple out of their York home.

Officers from York Safer Neighbourhood Team will be in the Burton Stone Lane and Crichton Avenue area of York following the fire in Lucas Avenue last Friday.

The pensioners, aged 81 and 78, escaped from their terraced house in their night clothes following the blaze – caused by a flaming object hurled through a living room window. It landed in the house, which the couple had lived in for more than 40 years, and set fire to the furniture. A green plastic five-litre petrol can was later recovered nearby.

The man, who was in the living room at the time of the attack, and his wife escaped unharmed but “shocked and shaken” by the attack on their property which has been left badly damaged and uninhabitable.

Inspector Rich Ball of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This sickening and cowardly incident has had a big impact on the local community.

“People are outraged about the ordeal this innocent and elderly couple have been through and, quite rightly, are demanding that those responsible are brought to justice as quickly as possible.

“The public response to the investigation has been very encouraging so far and we are hoping that more information will come in over the coming days to help identify the culprits.

“My team of officers will continue to provide a reassuring and visible presence in the area as the investigation progresses.

“We are also distributing leaflets and posters in the area to help jog people’s memories for information that could assist the inquiry.

“I urge anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers without delay.”

If you can help the investigation, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for York CID.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.