An Oxford family law firm has said it ‘will not be cowed’ after a suspected arson attack earlier this week. Police are appealing for witnesses after Family First Solicitors in Woodstock Road, Oxford was apparently targeted in the early hours of Monday morning.

Two people who were living in accommodation within the same building were able to escape without injury, Thames Valley Police said.

Family First Solicitors said significant damage was caused to the front door and the stairwells of the building, but that the firm continues to trade.

Family First Solicitors fire damage

Fire damage on the stairs leading to Family First Solicitors

Source: Ursula Rice

In a statement, the firm said it believed it was ‘deliberately targeted and the suspicion is either a disgruntled client or [an] opponent in a family case’.

Managing director Ursula Rice said: ‘We are a niche family law firm, who prides themselves on access to justice for people of normal means and who take a domestic abuse informed approach to the families we serve.

‘We know that sticking up for our clients will bring us into contact with people who want to stop us by any means necessary. We will not be deterred from serving our clients to the best of our ability. We are not afraid of and will not be cowed by this violent attack on our business and our people.’

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Tom Mansfield from Oxford CID said: ‘This was a significant incident, which thankfully has not resulted in anybody being injured. However, there were people inside a property at the location and this could have had a far worse outcome had it not been for their swift actions to get out of the building.

‘At this early stage of the investigation, I believe that a single person was responsible for this blaze and I am appealing to anybody who witnessed any suspicious activity in the early hours of [Monday] morning in the vicinity of Woodstock Road to please get in touch with police.’

Anyone with information about the incident, which is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life, can report it by calling Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference number 43210550234, or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

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