AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by police over a second suspicious fire at a Poole nature reserve in the past few weeks.

Police are carrying out inquiries following the latest incident at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, which officers believe may have been started deliberately.

The fire service contacted Dorset Police at around 4.45pm on Tuesday, May 26, in relation to a fire at the north end of the reserve, near to the Turbary Close entrance.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to a small area of bushes measuring around 10 metres by five metres.

It is the second suspicious fire at the reserve this month, with officers still appealing for anyone to come forward in relation to a fire that occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 9, near the Bloxworth Road entrance at the south end of the reserve.

PC Matthew Batter, of Poole police, said: β€œIt is obviously concerning that this is the second incident at the reserve in a matter of weeks and we have seen elsewhere in the county the severe damage that can be caused by this kind of fire.

β€œI am appealing for anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of the Bourne Valley Nature Reserve around the relevant times or who has any information as to the cause of these incidents to please contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200074361. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.