Telford girl, 15, arrested over spate of Shrewsbury fires

The emergency services were called to a number of incidents in the town centre overnight on Thursday and Friday.

Wheelie bins had been set alight in a variety of locations including Mardol Head, Claremont Bank and the Quarry as well as High Street.

Fire crews attended and are now urging business people to ensure their bins are secured away from public areas and, if this is not possible, are not overfilled or left close to buildings and property.

Malcolm Stevenson, spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received reports of fires in the town centre. These had been set in wheelie bins which had been left out overnight. We would ask businesses to keep their bins on their property. If this is not possible they should make sure the lids are closed and the bins are not overfilled.”

Anne Tugwell, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: “We received six reports of waste bins being set alight in Shrewsbury overnight.

"A 15-year-old girl from Telford has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incidents and being in possession of an offensive weapon. She is currently in custody.”