POLICE have criticised the people responsible for an "extremely dangerous" spate of arson attacks in Southampton in the past few days.

On Sunday officers were alerted after a blaze broke out between Oakwood Primary School and Lordswood Community Centre and affected a 10sq m area.

Later that day a group of youths were seen setting fire to trees in the car park of the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Frogmore Lane.

Yesterday police received a report that five or six children aged around 12 had run away after setting fire to an object woods near Coxford Road.

A police spokesperson said: "It goes without saying that this is extremely dangerous given the hot and dry weather we’re currently experiencing.

"Thankfully, none of these incidents escalated into a more serious blaze but they still put unnecessary pressure on our emergency service colleagues.

"All it takes is one moment of ‘fun’ to end in tragedy, so please spread the word and speak to your children about the dangers."

Anyone with information about the incidents, which are not being linked, can call police on 101.

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