Arson attack on Pinhoe Primary School

Youngsters thought to be responsible for £10,000 blaze

An Exeter primary school has been subjected to an arson attack.

Fire crews were called to Pinhoe CofE Primary School on Harrington Lane, Exeter, at around 11.45 p.m. after reports that an external shed had been set alight.

The shed, which was worth around £1,000 and, the contents - approximately £9,000 worth of school sports and electrical equipment -  were completely destroyed. The fire also partially destroyed surrounding external fencing.

The blaze is the latest in a number of recent incidents at the school during the past two weeks in which people have gone into the grounds and caused damage.

Sergeant Emma Storey-Barrett of the East Exeter neighbourhood policing team, said: “There is a clear trend of escalating antisocial behaviour (ASB) and sadly criminality in this area during the recent few months.

“There is evidence that these crimes may have been committed by younger people and we have been progressing those identified by means of the ASB escalation process with parents. Finding out named suspects for offences after the fact does prove challenging and leaves venues which includes the primary school and Saracens Rugby Team, which train there, footing the bill for repairing the damage.

“We will be tackling this in a number of ways over the coming weeks, including introducing street marshals in partnership with Exeter City Council.   Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We would like to remind everyone that we remain in a national lockdown and that children shouldn’t be out in groups during late evening hours.”

Anyone with information with regards to anti-social behaviour within the Pinhoe area can contact the neighbourhood team by emailing exeterneighbourhood@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk.

In addition, anyone with information about the fire is asked to call police on 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference number CR/008978/21.