Police urge to 'shop an arsonist' after Forest fire

chris.march@advertiserandtimes.co.uk

Published: 01:00, 01 July 2019

Officers at in Fawley Inclosure after the gorse blaze. Picture: Hampshire police

POLICE are urging people to shop suspected arsonists after a patrol discovered a gorse blaze in a New Forest beauty spot.

Hardley firefighters responded after the officers raised the alarm around 6.20pm on Saturday about the incident involving a small area of land in Fawley Inclosure, only about 400 yards from the fire station.

The emergency was contained within 25 minutes, and a Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said Forestry England had been informed due to suspicions of arson.

A post afterwards on the Waterside Police Twitter account called on people to “#RatOnARat” by informing police if they knew who was responsible for arson.

It said this action could help protect sites of special scientific interest and land owned by FE and the New Forest National Park Authority.

Those with information should contact Hampshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fawley Chris March