Wiltshire Police has launched an investigation into a series of arson attacks.
Firefighters dealt with a number of bin fires which are believed to have been started deliberately in Chippenham earlier this month, on 16 and 17 October.
Officers were alerted to the overnight incidents and have started investigating – with an appeal for any witnesses to come forward.
Firstly, a bin was set slight in Audley Road, followed by a further small fire underneath Hardbrook Court, in the entrance to the car park.
A third bin fire was then located close to the scout hut, and then, when police searched the local area, even more bins were found alight in Downing Street and Canterbury Street.
PC Joshua Sherratt said: “Thankfully no serious damage was caused and nobody was injured, but we believe this series of bin fires are connected and are likely to have been started by the same person.
“We know that fires can spread very quickly, so there is a concern that if the culprit continues to commit offences, the situation could be much more serious in the future.”
A fire was battled at Hardbrook Court nearly one year ago – in November 2020. At the time, police said there was no indication the blaze was started deliberately.
After that incident, three families were temporarily re-housed whilst Stonewater housing association made urgent repairs to the building, which was damaged in the blaze.
The force is asking anyone with information, including anyone with private CCTV or video doorbells who may have captured a picture of anyone acting suspiciously, to call PC Sherratt on 101, quoting crime reference 54210101330.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
