POLICE are hunting those responsible for an arson attack on a community centre in Ellesmere Port.

At around 4.45am on Wednesday, July 25 firefighters were called to Stanney Grange Community Centre on Alnwick Drive after a large pile of rubbish was put up against a wall and set alight.

The fire then spread to the centre's roof space but firefighters managed to extinguish this before it could cause any structural damage.

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or has any other information that may help with their investigation to get in touch.

Sergeant Martin Campbell said: “The crime of arson is extremely dangerous – people can die as a result of fires being started deliberately.

“Thankfully in this instance no-one was inside the building and firefighters were able to put the fire out before it could spread and cause significant damage to the community centre.

“The building benefits a large number of people within Ellesmere Port and we are determined to catch whoever started the fire and make them face the consequences of their actions.

“Enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who saw what happened or witnessed anything suspicious in the Alnwick Drive/Stanney Grange area of Ellesmere Port overnight to get in touch."

It is the latest in a spate of fires in the Stanney Grange and Bunbury Green area in recent months that are believed to have been started deliberately.

Small fires involving newspapers, rubbish, bins, grass and tree branches have shot up in the area.

Ellesmere Port station manager Steve McCormick said: “Arsonists need to consider the consequences of their actions and the risk they pose to the local community.

“There has been a spike in fires in Ellesmere Port recently that we believe have been started by youths.

"While they may not have been large fires, such incidents can lead to larger, potentially life-threatening blazes and they also take vital resources away from other incidents.

“The 'On The Streets' engagement team have been speaking to 13 to 19-year-olds in Ellesmere Port about the dangers and consequences of fires being started deliberately.

“Hopefully by educating young people on this subject we will see a decline in arson incidents.

“We are concerned by the spate of arson incidents we have experienced in Ellesmere Port recently and urge those responsible to stop starting fires deliberately.”

If you have any information or if you witnessed anything suspicious call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 133901, give us the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.