Man, 19, arrested by police following series of fires in Northampton

Police have yesterday (Thursday, August 11) arrested a man on suspicion of arson following a series of fires in the Briar Hill area of Northampton.

A large area of open land in the area around The Ringway had been deliberately set alight earlier today causing significant damage.

Already pressed teams from the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the area shortly after 2.15pm and have been tackling the blaze throughout the afternoon

Sgt Nick Paul from the Neighbourhood Policing Team based at Mereway, said: “We are appealing to members of the public with any information regarding the recent arsons around Briar Hill. 

“We are working closely with partners from West Northamptonshire Council, NFRS and the Arson Task Force and we will be providing an increased presence in the area over the coming days. 

“We will proactively pursue those who are committing arson offences. This is sheer recklessness – people deliberately starting fires, especially given the current climate - and the risk it is putting on our residents, wildlife and emergency responders is beyond belief.”

If you have any information, please contact Northamptonshire Police via 101/website quoting incident 300 of today, August 11.