Help us catch the Haverhill bin fire arsonists say police and council
A recent rash of vandalism in Haverhill in which 10 bin fires have been started in one area of the town over the course of the last three weekends has prompted calls for the community to help catch the culprits.
Both the police and West Suffolk Council, which has to foot the bill to replace the damaged bins, want information passed to investigating officers so the arsonists can be brought to book – and stopped.
All of the fires have been started on the Chalkstone estate, or along or close to the railway walk, and all but one has been carried out on a weekend, almost always after dark.
Each fire has resulted in a single crew from Haverhill Fire Station having to be called out to extinguish them, usually within minutes.
A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “We are aware of a number of bin fires in the town in recent weekends and our enquiries continue.
“At this stage we remain open minded about who is responsible and whether they are all linked to one individual.
“We are liaising closely with the fire service as well as looking at any forensic opportunities.
“The local Safer Neighbourhood Team are actively looking at the areas affected and are working with the community to build intelligence, investigative opportunities and provide reassurance to local residents.
“Anyone who knows who is responsible should contact Haverhill police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
A spokesman for West Suffolk Council said: “Vandalism is pointless, it of course has a cost, and we would urge anyone with any information to report it to the police.”
Two fires were started on Sunday, April 4; at 10.10pm, near the railway walk and Sturmer Road and the second off Greenfields Way at about 11.20pm.
A fire was started 6.30pm on Saturday, April 10 on Ehringshausen Way, on Alde Road at about 6.50pm the next day, followed by another at 11.47pm on the railway walk near Ingham Road and another next to the Tesco car park at 00.07am on Monday.
On Saturday, April 24 there were bin fires at 11.36pm at the Millfields Way and Chalkstone Way junction, at 11.50pm next to the allotments in Manor Road and at 12.04am on Sunday in Ehringshausen Way, close to Haverhill Tennis Club. One more bin fire was started Monday, April 26 at 10.31pm in Quendon Place.
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