SUSPECTED arsonists are believed to have started four fires in West Howe, Bournemouth, at the weekend – just weeks after efforts were stepped up to tackle deliberate blazes.

In one incident, two mobility scooters were destroyed in what is thought to be an arson attack in the early hours of Saturday.

Firefighters and police were called to garages behind Draper Road at 4.30am.

Locals said the garages were rented out by the council and not used by homes nearby.

A few hours earlier firefighters were called to three separate malicious bin fires at nearby Moore Avenue, Coleman Road and at the junction of Pilot Hight Road and Springwater Road, a spokesman said.

At the end of October, the Daily Echo reported how fire and police chiefs were asking residents to help them cut the number of deliberate fires being started in the area.

Police patrols were stepped up after 33 incidents were recorded between April 1 and October 22.

The weekend’s fires prompted fresh calls for action.

Mike James, 84, a retired Bournemouth police officer who has lived near the scene of the latest blaze in Draper Road for 50 years, said: “It’s an area which over the years has been a problem and I think possibly it’s youngsters who are not necessarily brought up in the right manner.

“They go out on the streets at night and they get up to mischief. They should put policemen back on the beat and patrol it like we used to.

“If we get that back again we would be able to stop a lot of this nonsense.”

Neighbour Peter Hammond, 82, added: “My wife called the fire brigade. It seems to be a case of ‘do this and you’re in the gang’.

“It’s a worry when it’s so close to your house.”

Dave Graham, fire station manager at Redhill Park, said: “Arson is a mindless act which can not only cause serious damage but also ties up our crew’s time and resources when they could be dealing with a real emergency.”