AN ARSONIST  has wreaked a trail of damage and destruction in Huddersfield over the past four months.

Police have now put out an urgent plea to catch the firebug and stop the attacks which they fear could end up with someone being hurt.

Detectives have turned to the public for help in tracking down the person responsible for a series of deliberate fires in the Lockwood and Crosland Moor area.

In the latest incident, wheeled bins were set alight in North Street, Yews Hill Road and Lime Street in Lockwood in the early hours of Sunday morning.

But since October last year there have been nine incidents where cars, garden furniture, sheds and wheeled bins have been set alight.

Police were called to a house on Lime Street in Lockwood after the door to an empty house, which was in the process of being renovated, was set on fire on Sunday morning.

Det Con Shaun Lewis from Huddersfield CID said: “These are serious offences affecting a relatively small area of Huddersfield so we are confident that someone in the community will have some information that will help us catch the offender.

“While no-one has been hurt in any of the incidents, a lot of damaged has been caused to people’s property and I would urge anyone with any information to contact us before someone does get hurt.’’

Keith Robinson, Kirklees District Commander for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Arson attacks such as these place a considerable strain on the fire and rescue service. These nuisance fires also take valuable resources away from other, more serious incidents.  

“I wonder how the culprits would feel if their house was on fire, but their local fire crew was busy dealing with an arson attack, forcing firefighters from further afield to travel a greater distance to attend.

“Those extra minutes could make all the difference between life and death.

“Deliberate fires also have huge cost implications. Even a small rubbish fire costs the economy in the region of £2,000.”

He added that residents and business owners should ensure rubbish is never left outside properties and wheeled bins should be kept in a secure location and only left out on collection day.

Anyone with any information on the arsons is asked to contact Det Con Lewis at Huddersfield CID via 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.