PATROLS have been stepped up on heathland in a bid to identify those responsible for a spate of fires.

The most recent blaze was on Monday on land in Rossmore, Poole.

Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue, the Urban Heaths Partnership and councils have joined forces to identify and deter would-be arsonists.

A £250 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for starting heath fires in Bournemouth and Poole.

Teams can be seen patrolling on foot, mountain bikes and scrambler bikes, as well as in 4x4 vehicles, and the police helicopter is keeping a regular watch, using hi-tech heat-sensing equipment.

Members of Bournemouth Flying Club have also been asked to keep an eye out for smoke and fire while flying over heathland.

Sgt Andy Jenkins, of the Canford Heath Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “As a partnership, we are determined to apprehend and bring to justice those responsible for this spate of fires, which we believe have been set deliberately.

“This is of paramount importance as we approach the warmer, drier months of the year, when fire can spread very quickly, meaning any future fires could pose an even greater risk to human life and property as well as local wildlife and the heathland itself.”

Recent months have seen blazes in the Canford Heath, Rossmore and Alderney areas of Poole, as well as at Talbot Heath and Meyrick Park in Bournemouth.

Jez Martin, nature conservation officer at the Borough of Poole, said: “These fires have decimated some of these areas and the wildlife living there, including nationally rare sand lizards, smooth snakes and birds such as the stonechat and Dartford warbler.

“It is absolutely vital that we do everything within our power to ensure that the heathland we have left is preserved for future generations to enjoy.”