A SPATE of arson attacks in Gillingham this week has sparked a police investigation.

The force said three commercial properties were deliberately set alight overnight between Monday, March 30, and the early hours of Tuesday morning, and the attacks are believed to be linked.

The first incident happened at the Cats Protection charity shop in High Street at around 1.10am yesterday, with significant damage caused to the front porch area.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters first on the scene found the front of the shop to be "well alight", adding: "Due to residential flats above the shop, the incident commander made this incident 'persons reported', and a further three appliances were mobilised from Tisbury, Mere and Shaftesbury."

Further attacks occurred at an unknown time during the night at Synergie Commercial Ltd, Synergie House, Newbury, and at Chapman Moore Estate in High Street, with a sack of rubbish and toilet door set ablaze.

Detective Constable Siobhan Lovering, of Weymouth CID, said: "A large amount of damage has been caused to these three properties in the town centre."

Contact Dorset Police with information on 101 quoting incident number 31:15., or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.