Police’s warning after spate of fires

‘We will use the whole range of powers available to protect the community’ – that was the warning from Arun and Chichester’s district police commander after a concerning spate of deliberate fires.

According to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, at least 15 fires started deliberately involving public toilets, bins and skips were brought to its attention since the end of October.

One cluster of arsons took place in one day with the fire service being called to five blazes in public toilets in Chichester and Bognor Regis on October 20.

In the past month, another five fires were started in Avisford Park in Bognor Regis and further fires involved a bus stop at Bilsham Road in Yapton on October 30, and deliberate fires in wheelie bins and skips in East Preston, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

ChiefinspectorJonCarter, police district commander for Arun and Chichester, said: “We work closely with the fire and rescue service and local authorities to seek to prevent such incidents and ask local people to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to us on 999.

“Officers are deployed to deal with issues such as these in the area. Dispersal powers have and will continue to be used where proportionate, and where we identify offenders we will use the whole range of powers available to protect the community.”

Anyone who has concerns about a young person’s behaviour and believes they could be at risk of starting a fire can contact the FireWise team on 0330 2222 515 or email firewise@westsussex. gov.uk