Fire and Police work together to stamp out arson!
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is asking church wardens and visitors to local churches in Rugby to be extra vigilant in a bid to put a stop to recent arson attempts.
Between Monday 24 March and Tuesday 15 April, attempts were made to set fire to St Ediths Church in Monks Kirby using a candle. Fortunately only minor damage was caused as the candle burnt itself out.
A similar incident occurred at around 1730 hours on Easter Monday 24 March at St John the Baptists Church in Brinklow, where a lit candle was discovered and extinguished.
The Police and Fire and Rescue Service are working together on the ongoing investigation.
Ian Tonner, Arson Reduction Manager said "We are asking churches and other religious centres to be extra vigilant and to thoroughly check all areas of the church including those places that are out of sight, just before locking up. “
DS Lanchbury said:
"Officers are liasing with local churches and religious centres to discuss improving their security arrangements.
"We are also encouraging religious centres to join Faith Watch. Members of Faith Watch are encouraged to send alert messages to each other to draw attention to incidents that they find of interest. This can range from the theft of metals to attempted arson. For more information on Faith Watch please contact Julie Dale at Warwickshire Police on 01926 415000 ext 8185.
Any witness to either incident is please asked to contact DS John Lanchbury at Rugby Police Station on 01788 541111 voicemail 10727 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.