Flackwell Heath: Previous arson attack 'not linked' to recent blaze

A fire broke out last Tuesday night (August 2) at the playground on Straight Bit which saw playground equipment fully destroyed in the blaze.

Chepping Wycombe Parish Council said they were left “deeply disappointed and frustrated” as police launched an investigation into the suspected arson attack.

Earlier this year, a similar investigation was launched on April 2 in which the same playground equipment was damaged by a smaller fire.

The playground was previously damaged in April

The Chepping Wycombe Parish Council revealed that their security team was able to “successfully deliver” the arsonist to the police with "accompanying evidence".

However, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "A suspect was identified, but due to insufficient evidence, no further action was taken and the investigation was filed pending further information coming to light."

It was also confirmed that the police are not treating the incidents as linked.

Calls have now been made to fence off the recreation park at night or install CCTV cameras with the parish council already hiring a security team back in October 2021.

The destroyed 'pirate ship' equipment has now been removed as the parish council confirmed the park would remain closed as it continues to be a crime scene.

There has also been a string of incidents in the Straight Bit recreation ground in recent years 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 new surfacing near the roundabout dug out, two swings being stolen along with the ground surfacing underneath and the wooden frame badly damaged.

A public meeting was held on June 24 over concerns about the "on-going" anti-social behavior in the village.

The chairman of Chepping Wycombe Parish Council, Cllr Katrina Wood said: “This is yet another appalling incident which only penalises our children who will now be without somewhere to play in Flackwell Heath for the foreseeable future.

“If this was a deliberate act of vandalism then I cannot understand how anyone could carry out such a pointless and dangerous action.

“I would urge anyone who can shed any light on who was responsible for the arson attack last night to bring this to the immediate attention of the police."