Police warning after reports youths started fires
Cheshire Fire & Rescue ServicePolice and firefighters have issued a warning after reports three fires were started deliberately in quick succession across an industrial port town.
Members of the public have witnessed young people starting the fires in parkland or green spaces before leaving on foot or bicycles, Cheshire Police said.
The force urged the community to consider the dangers of starting fires and reminded any potential culprits of the incidents in Ellesmere Port on 23 July that arson is a criminal offence.
No arrests have been made, but police are working with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to identify those responsible.
'Dangerous and irresponsible'
Chief Inspector Dan Reynolds described deliberately starting fires as an "extremely dangerous form of anti-social behaviour".
He said those involved risked harming themselves and other people, while taking police and fire-service resources away from other emergencies.
Reynolds urged parents to speak to their children about the dangers of starting fires.
"Arson is a serious crime that can result in a criminal record and even prison time", Reynolds said in a statement.
He said officers would prefer to address the behaviour through education, but warned that criminal charges could be sought if it continued.
Ellesmere Port station manager Andrew Gray said fires could spread quickly in dry conditions, putting people, property, wildlife and open spaces at risk.
"Deliberately setting fires is both dangerous and irresponsible," he said.
Gray said every avoidable incident tied up firefighters who might otherwise be responding to house fires, road traffic collisions or other emergencies where lives were at risk.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Cheshire Police.
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