Rugby officers discover wooden park equipment on fire as they patrol in the early hours

Rugby police officers discovered wooden play equipment on fire as they patrolled during the early hours.

Officers were out on patrol around the Craven Road area in the early hours of Sunday, September 20, morning when they discovered a fire in Millennium Park (also known as Brian Whistance Pocket Park) shortly after 1.30am.

They immediately contacted the fire service who attended and put the fire out.

The blaze is believed to have been started in a wheelie bin that had been put in the middle of the wooden play area.

PC Sharon Smyth from Warwickshire Police said: “While no arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at around the time of the fire who may have seen something suspicious to please get in touch.

“Thankfully no one was hurt as a result of this incident but senseless crimes such as these will not be tolerated as they can have devastating consequences. The fire caused extensive damage to the play area which has sadly meant that local children won’t be able to use it until it has been repaired which could take some weeks.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help with the investigation should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 28 of 20 September.