A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after three beach huts were set on fire and another 31 broken into or damaged at Mudeford Sandbank.

The teenager from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of arson and burglary and is currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.

As previously reported, police were called by the fire service to reports of three beach huts on fire at 2.40am on Saturday, February 6.

There was nobody inside any of the beach huts and no one was injured during the incident.

Enquiries are under way to establish whether anything was stolen. 

A full investigation is under way and a cordon remains in place to allow examinations of the scene to take place. 

Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident to contact them.

Residents living nearby have also been urged to check CCTV footage.

Detective Inspector Andrew Kennard, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are continuing to carry out detailed enquiries into this incident and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened to please get in touch.

“I am also keen to speak to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the vicinity around the time of the incident. Residents in the nearby surrounding area are urged to check their home CCTV systems for any relevant footage to assist my investigation.

“We are working with BCP Council to identify the owners of the beach huts involved in this incident. If you own a beach hut that has been affected and you have not yet been contacted by either BCP Council or Dorset Police, please contact Dorset Police quoting the incident number below.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 6:48. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.