Police step up patrols after spate of barn blazes (From Gazette & Herald)

Police step up patrols after spate of barn blazes

11:35am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News

RYEDALE police are urging vigilance and appealing for information as they step up rural patrols following four barn fires.

North Yorkshire Police and the Fire and Rescue Service were called at 1.13am on Thursday, February 28, to reports of a large barn fire on York Road, Dunnington, which destroyed a large stock of straw worth around £8,500.

Shortly afterwards, reports were made of two other barn fires near Skirpenbeck, when about 400 bales of straw were set alight.

At 3.10am, a further report was received of a barn fire in a field next to the A64 near Foston. About 300 to 400 bales of straw were set alight.

PS Craig Malia, from the Safer Ryedale Neighbourhood team, said: “It is vital that whoever is responsible is brought to justice and I am urging anyone who saw the fires take hold or has any other information to contact the police as a matter of urgency.”

He added: “We’ll be stepping up rural patrols in the area, but I am appealing to farmers and rural residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police, no matter how insignificant they think it is.”

Anyone with any information can phone the police on 101.