FIREFIGHTERS have completed the first of a series of patrols of areas recently affected by suspected arson attacks.

Crews from Hartley Wintney and Yateley have been revisiting areas in and around Blackbushe and Yateley Common where they have recently attended fire calls.

Last month, police launched two arson investigations after a pair of fires within a matter of days, and in April a similar gorse fire destroyed 20 hectares of land at Hazeley Heath, near Hartley Wintney.

Now firefighters say they will be engaging with the community and telling people about the dangers of heath fires that have been caused by carelessness or potentially deliberate acts.

Messages shared on Twitter via Hartley Wintney Fire Station read: “Just completed the first of four planned Patrols we will be conducting this weekend in and around Blackbushe and Yateley Common, revisiting areas that we have attended for fire calls in recent weeks. Each patrol will consist of a crew member from both Hartley Wintney and Yateley.

“The key to these patrols is community engagement. We will be stopping to chat to people throughout these patrols to talk about the dangers of heath fires that have been caused by carelessness or potentially deliberate acts.

“On our first visit we revisited Castle Bottom, where we attended a fire only a few weeks ago that was very difficult to access. As you can see from these pics, there has been recent activity clearing an area and what looks like potentially building a site for a campfire.”