Norfolk Police have confirmed that two fires deliberately started in Fakenham are being treated as linked.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire damaged the Fakenham Connect offices. Picture: Kathryn CrossFire damaged the Fakenham Connect offices. Picture: Kathryn Cross (Image: Archant)

Investigations are underway after a storage container on Field Lane in Fakenham was torched in the early hours of Friday morning.

It followed a similar incident that happened at around 7.45am on Wednesday at the offices of Fakenham Connect on Oak Street, where a fire is believed to have been ignited in a bin before spreading to the building.

Fakenham Inspector Ed Brown said: “Fortunately no one has been injured in either of these incidents however fires have the ability to spread quickly which has the potential for unintended consequences.

“I would ask the public to be vigilant and call police if you witness any suspicious activity. We would advise businesses to check that outside areas are properly secured to prevent against unlawful access. In both of these cases, the perpetrator has entered a storage area before starting a fire.

Eastern Daily Press: A fire broke out at the Fakenham Connect offices on Oak Street. Picture: Amy HammondA fire broke out at the Fakenham Connect offices on Oak Street. Picture: Amy Hammond (Image: Amy Hammond)

“If we remove the opportunity we reduce the likelihood of these types of offences occurring. The timing of these offences also suggests that whoever is responsible is out and about in the town first thing in the morning when there are few people moving about.

“We will be increasing our patrols at these times.”

In the past six months, officers in Fakenham have dealt with two other incidents of arson however it is not known if these are connected..

The first occurred on August 22 when a litter bin was set alight in the grounds of the St Peter and St Paul Church. Two months later, on October 14, a picnic bench was set alight in Aldiss Park.

Inspector Brown said, like the two fires this week, the blaze in Aldiss Park occurred during the early morning period.

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area or anyone with information should contact PC Michael Culligan at Fakenham Police Station on 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via their anonymous online form.

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