POLICE officers are treating a fire on the outskirts of a Herefordshire town as arson.

Shortly before 10pm on Friday evening, West Mercia Police said it was at a large fire in the open with fire crews from Ross-on-Wye.

Ross-on-Wye's safer neighbourhood team said it was "suspected arson" and appealed for anyone with information to email officers.

The fire appeared to be hay bales on fire in Tank Meadow.

RELATED NEWS:

It is the third fire in Ross-on-Wye this week which police suspect is arson, with incidents centred around the skatepark in Wilton Road.

A bin and a memorial bench have also been set alight at the skatepark, with police saying youths were seen running away from the scene.

"You may or may not already be aware of a number of arson-related incidents around the area of the skateboard park, Wilton Road, Ross-on-Wye," PC Daniel Underwood from West Mercia Police said.

OTHER NEWS:

"It has been reported on a number of occasions of youths seen setting alight waste bins and more recently a memorial bench at the location.

"This cannot continue and will have a detrimental effect on the town.

"We are currently actively patrolling the area to deter further incidents but would ask the parents of those responsible, do you know what your children are doing tonight?"