Police officers are investigating a suspected arson attack after firefighters put out a blaze at a local play area.

Crews from Beaconsfield attended the recreation ground on Straight Bit in Flackwell Heath at 5.55pm on Saturday (April 2) after playground equipment was set on fire.

The firefighters used water backpacks to battle the flames and then notified Thames Valley Police of the incident.

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Scorch marks remain on a wooden ship play equipment as police urge anyone with information to come forwards.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of an arson at the play area at the Recreation Ground on Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath, from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service at around 6.40pm on Saturday (April 2).

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“We are investigating and would encourage anyone with information about this to call us on 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43220142515.”

Bucks Free Press:

There was also been a string of incidents in the Straight Bit recreation ground last year, where racist graffiti was found on a piece of fitness equipment close to the bowls club.

The playground was also previously vandalised multiple times with the inside area of the climbing wall damaged by fire and new surfacing near the roundabout dug out.

On a visit to the playground, councillors were also shocked to see two swings had been stolen along with the ground surfacing underneath and the wooden frame badly damaged.

In October 2021, a private security company was hired by the parish council to tackle anti-social behaviour in Flackwell Heath.

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