Arsonists have targeted sheds in Letchworth this week – and police are appealing for information to help catch those responsible.

The first incident happened at the allotments in Bedford Road between December 18 and January 10, when a shed’s pane of glass was smashed and an attempt was made to set fire to the items stored inside.

Three fires were started at the same allotments on January 10 – in these incidents, the sheds were fully set alight and destroyed.

A greenhouse on Hawthorne Hill and a shed on Grange Road were also destroyed by fire on January 11.

Currently officers are not ruling out that the fires on Bedford Road and the other two locations could be linked.

Letchworth and Baldock Safer Neighbourhood Team sergeant Alan Clarke said: “We are taking these crime very seriously.

“This type of wanton vandalism can easily develop into a situation where the lives of members of the public and the emergency services are put in danger.

“The incidents are clearly deliberate, criminal acts which we are investigating thoroughly and are utilising every means available to us.

Such mindless acts put an increased demand on the already stretched fire service and police, meaning we are less able to respond to genuine emergencies.

“The crimes are anti-social by their very nature and cause both immense financial loss to victims, as well as inconvenience to the community as a whole.

Anybody found to be involved will face serious consequences. I would urge anyone who has witnessed suspicious behaviour in the affected areas, or who may know who is responsible, to please get in touch as soon as possible.”

These incidents follow on from a spate of allotment vandalism at the end of 2017 when several sheds were broken into in Icknield Way.

Anyone with information on the fires is asked to contact the Letchworth and Baldock Safer Neighbourhood Team on the non-emergency number 101 with the following references:

• G2/18/70 for the first attempt in Bedford Road

• G2/18/68, G2/18/69 and G2/18/88 for the three fires in Bedford Road

No references are available for the Hawthorne Hill and Grange Road incidents.

You can also report information online at https://www.herts.police.uk/Report . Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.