ARSONISTS carried out a wave of wheelie bin fires in the early hours leading to firefighters being called out six times in the space of three hours.

The first incident was in the early hours of Thursday, December 12, when two bins were set on fire in an alley on Pigot Street in Newtown. It is believed that the alleyway was unlocked.

Kitchener Street was the next target less than ten minutes later when yobs set fire to a bin full of rubbish on the pavement.

Crews from Eccleston and St Helens were then called to a fire at 3.40am on Windsor Road next to St Teresa’s Parish Centre. The building was not damaged.

The next fire was close to an alleygate on Argyle Street just before 4.50am. A 38-year-old man suffered minor injuries and was assessed by paramedics.

Minutes later firefighters had to tackle another bin fire on Argyle Street.

Then at 5.09am they were called to deal with another arson attack on Chapel Street.

St Helens fire chief Chris Case said: “We urge people not to leave wheelie bins out. They should be stored away from buildings and ideally behind locked gates. Bins should be brought back in as soon as rubbish has been collected.

“Wheelie bin fires can spread to properties rapidly, causing a danger to people in their homes.

“Attending deliberate wheelie bin fires can prevent a fire appliance being available to attend emergencies.”

Detective Sergeant John Black added: "Setting fire to bins is extremely dangerous as it could cause serious injury to those people who do it and to the wider community.

"Officers have launched an operation aimed to identify those responsible by increasing patrols in the area, working closely with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and speaking to the local community. We are determined to bring those responsible to justice.

"Merseyside Police are committed to making our communities safer and would urge anyone with information to contact police on the 101 number or on Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”