Police and partner agencies working together following arson incidents in Cheltenham

The incidents have taken place over recent weeks and the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team are investigating alongside Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) to identify those responsible and prevent further fires from taking place.

One incident took place on Wednesday 30 March and saw unknown offenders set fire to a hedge on Broad Oak Way. No suspects were located at the scene and CCTV from the area is being reviewed as a part of the ongoing investigation.

Other reported incidents have included skips being set on fire in Charlton Kings, litter bins being set alight on Caernarvon Way in Hatherley and fires being started at a barn in Prestbury.

Local officers are now taking part in daily patrols in the area with deployable CCTV cameras along with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service to ensure the safety of local communities.

Acting Inspector Steve Benbow of the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing team said: "The recent incidents of arson in Warden Hill and Hatherley have caused concern from local residents and we are now working with our partners, local Councillors and Neighbourhood Watch to keep everyone safe.

"We are asking local residents to please be vigilant and report concerns should they see suspicious activity or come across anyone smelling like they have been to a bonfire.

“I would like to remind those who have concerns over anything they see being an imminent risk to please call police on 999 so that officers can attend straight away.”

Anyone with information on last week's incident on Broad Oak Way who hasn't already spoken to police is asked to get in contact quoting incident 556 of 30 March.

Those with information on any of the other incidents are asked to quote the relevant incident number from the below list;

• Incident 545 of 1 April and 73 of 4 April: skips in Charlton Kings
• Incident 125 of 6 April: bins in Hatherley
• Incident 466 of 24 March: barn in Prestbury

This can be done by calling 101 or completing the following online form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/

Director Mike Redman from Cheltenham Borough Council said: "We take these issues extremely seriously and are working closely with our neighbourhood policing colleagues to try and identify those responsible for these wreckless acts of arson.

"Any evidence which the community can supply to help us in this task would be welcome, including details of the suspected offender(s) or any mobile phone footage of the incidents concerned."