A SERIES of malicious fires in the Hamworthy area of Poole has prompted an appeal for information in a bid to catch whoever is responsible.

Six fires have started in bushes and grassy areas over the last week, most of them near the old community centre site in Turlin Road, Turlin Moor.

One was at the Ham Common Nature Reserve, where a previous suspected arson attack on July 17 devastated a large area of wildlife-rich heathland.

PC Phil Cowlishaw of the Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We don’t know whether that incident was linked to the big fire on Ham Common, but if these are a regular thing, what is this person going to do? We want to make sure we stop them.”

The biggest fire of the recent spate damaged an area measuring 25ft by 20ft near a bus stop in Turlin Road, reported at 5.23pm on Monday.

The previous day there had been a fire in the afternoon, and on Tuesday there were two, at 4.20pm and just before 10pm.

There was a further fire on Wednesday and another on Thursday.

PC Cowlishaw said: “The fires are quite small but the fire service attended them all and on a couple of occasions had to spend time there damping down the area.

“We have requested CCTV and have suspicions of some local youths but would like to get more information.

“Most of them are in daylight. I’m sure someone within the community could tell us whether they’ve seen somebody doing it, even if it’s anonymously.”

Anyone with information should ring the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively email HamworthySNT@dorset.pnn.police.uk or twitter @HamworthySNT.