TWO boys aged ten and 11 have admitted to starting nearly 25 fires in the Stoneyholme area of Burnley.

The boys, both from Stoneyholme, have been arrested and released on police bail and are old enough to face prosecution, although a decision on what action to take has not yet been made.

Acting Inspector Mark Gray said: "As a result of action taken by the uniformed team covering that area they collected information which led to the arrest of the two juveniles, who have admitted between 20 and 25 offences.

"We are targeting juvenile nuisance in that area and in particular incidents of arson. We are providing a co-ordinated approach with high visibility policing and by working with community groups."

Insp Gray said police inquiries were continuing into a number of other incidents of juvenile nuisance in the area.

Last Sunday firefighters were ambushed by youths who hurled missiles at the engine after a call to a rubbish fire.

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