Teen charged with string of arson attacks

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appears at Rotherham Magistrates' Court today charged with five counts of arson and one count of theft.

The charges relate to the alleged arson of minibuses at Wath Comprehensive School on September 28 and the alleged arson of four vehicles in the Wath area on October 15.

Yesterday police arrested another 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of arson as part of the ongoing investigation. Both have been released with no further action.

Detective Sergeant Iain Martin from Rotherham’s Local Policing Unit said: “We’d like to thank the public for their co-operation and to everyone who has come forward to help with the investigation.

“Our enquiries will continue and we remain keen to speak to anyone who may hold information about the reported incidents.”

Police are also interested in getting information on a fire at a vehicle compound in Manvers Way on October 18 where between 40 and 70 vehicles were significantly damaged.

People with information can call 101 or email [email protected] quoting incident number 1179 of October 18.