A well known Ormskirk businessman is asking QLocal readers to back his attempts to hold Lancashire Constabulary to account for the way he has been treated.

Paul Ponting and his family hit the headlines earlier this year after a frightening arson attack at his Yew Tree Road home in which two cars were destroyed - the drama featured on BBC TV's Crimewatch a few weeks ago.

Now Paul, who runs IT business Danoli Solutions in the town, has launched a fresh petition to have an unlawful arrest investigated by the IPCC.

He claims that the Lancashire force blocked it from an investigation, adding 'QLocal could get this moving for me'.

"This could be the one that gets things public," he added.

Cumbria police is ,already investigating a number of allegations that he's made against the force, he added.

Here’s the petition: https://www.change.org/p/ipcc-to-inv...erious-assault

Lancashire Constabulary have refused to comment on the matter.