EMERGENCY services are urging people to use the anonymous Crimestoppers phone line in a bid to prevent arson attacks in the town.

Firefighters were called to more than 250 deliberate fires in the town between April and October last year with 60 incidents involving buildings or cars.

Over a two-year period, more than 300 wheelie bins were also destroyed by fire.

Colin Heyes, Cheshire Fire arson reduction manager, said: “Arson costs not only the fire and rescue service but also the police and local authority a great deal of time, resource and money.

“It is an extremely dangerous crime which can cause a real danger to life.

“We are therefore anxious to prevent people from illegally starting fires and are asking anyone who may have information about those involved in starting fires to contact Crimestoppers.”

Leaflets are being distributed in the area and fire and police staff will be giving presentations to the town’s high schools to spread the anti-arson message.

Chief inspector Jon Ward, head of Warrington police, added: “Arson is an issue that we take extremely seriously.

“This irresponsible behaviour has a negative impact on the community and we want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to put a stop to it.”

Cheshire Crimestoppers is one of the most successful in the UK with hundreds of crimes in the county being solved every day because a Cheshire resident has called the registered charity number.

Anyone with information should call 0800 555 111.