People in Oldfield Park are being warned about leaving piles of rubbish about after a spate of arson attacks

People living in Oldfield Park are being warned about leaving piles of rubbish about after a spate of arson attacks in the area.

Police are investigating a number of incidents where small fires have been started close to homes.

Louise Poole

The latest one happened in the early hours of last Thursday morning when Louise Poole, who lives in Denmark Road, was woken by a neighbour telling her that her garden fence was alight.

What had started as a small rubbish fire outside her back gate had spread to her fence and could have reached the house if it had not been spotted quickly.

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Mrs Poole, who lives with her husband Martin and six-year-old daughter, said: "This wasn't an accident and it could've been far worse. If it had spread along the fence it could have gone across our neighbour's trellis and into the trees.

"I just think people should be aware that somebody out there has got a serious arson problem and we need to be careful.

"I just want to warn people not to leave the rubbish out where it could tempt this person."

Beat manager PC Malcolm Webley said that police were investigating reports of nine fires in skips, rubbish bags and wheelie bins in the area.

He said: "Obviously we're concerned, particularly as some of these fires were started quite near to buildings where people live.

"We would advise people to try to keep rubbish indoors or secure, and we are appealing for anyone who has seen anything suspicious, or has any information, to call us on 101."