Police have been conducting extra high visibility patrols across the area
Fire service called to Newquay Leisure Park(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Police are conducting extra ‘high visibility patrols’ in an area of Bristol are ten unexplained fires in the past two months. The spate of arsons has prompted a public meeting to be held tonight, Friday, June 27, as residents expressed shock and sadness at the ongoing issue.
Avon and Somerset police said they are investigating the series of fires, which have been started with cars, mopeds, bins, a phone box and even an office chair in the Oldbury Court area of Fishponds, since late April.
A spokesperson for the police said they believe the fires were started deliberately, and officers have been visiting homes to ask for CCTV as the investigation continues into who is responsible. Residents and neighbourhood police will be at the Vassalls Hub this evening for the public meeting, which has been called by local councillors and other community leaders.
“We’re investigating a number of fires, which are believed to have been started deliberately, across the Fishponds area in recent months,” the police spokesperson said.
“Ten incidents have been identified over the last two months and work to identify the people responsible is continuing. The Fishponds neighbourhood team are aware and have been conducting extra high visibility patrols across the area while also liaising with the fire service to identify any new incidents.
“As part of these patrols, officers have also visited homes as part of their CCTV enquiries to provide crime prevention advice to deter further incidents. We would urge anyone who witnesses any incident or who has any CCTV footage to report it to us. If a crime is ongoing, call 999. Call 101 with any other information or visit https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/ Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously,” she added.
The meeting takes place at the Vassall Community Hub in Gill Avenue from 6.30pm on Friday, and organisers said it will be an opportunity for people to hear from police about ‘what is happening and what is being done’, find out how people can better protect their homes and property, and share concerns and ideas with local councillors.
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“Many of us have been shocked and saddened by the recent arson attacks in our local area — including damage to the phone box outside the Vassall Centre, which was set to become a community project space,” said a spokesperson for the Vassall Community Hub.
“In response, Friends of Oldbury Court, Frome Vale councillors, and the Vassall Hub team have organised a community meeting with police officers.
“This is a space for anyone living, working or caring about our community to come together, get informed, and be part of a collective response,” they added.