POLICE have issued a warning to children in the Forest about the dangers of starting fires, with a series of incidents having taken place this summer.

There have been 11 suspected cases of arson in Cinderford alone since the start of June.

Officers are now asking parents to keep an eye on children and to teach them about the dangers.

They’re also asking anyone who has information about those starting the fires to come forward.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service have attended 152 fire-related incidents so far in August - compared with 25 over the same period last year - with temperatures having soared this summer.

Sergeant Cath Pickering, of Forest of Dean Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Deliberately starting a fire is a serious offence, and will not be tolerated.

“Not only are these children putting the lives of themselves and others at risk, the impact of these fires can have a devastating impact on the environment, killing animals and destroying wildlife habitat.”

Anyone who comes across a fire in a public place or who witnesses someone starting a fire deliberately is asked to dial 999 immediately.