New hospital arson investigated

The children's hospital will be the biggest in the UK

Arsonists have now struck 10 times at the building site of Manchester's new Children's Hospital.

The attacks, which have been mostly minor but included one serious one, have all taken place at the Oxford Road site over the past few weeks.

In the latest incident fire crews were called to deal with four separate fires on Monday morning.

Police and fire investigators have begun a major investigation to find out who is responsible.

Builders working for Bovis Lend Lease contractors have had to be evacuated from the site after nearly every incident.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We do enforce rigorous security measures at all times on site.

"However we recognise the serious nature of these incidents and have increased our security measures. We continue to work closely with the police and fire services with their ongoing investigations."

As well as the fire service, Greater Manchester Police have been working closely with the NHS Trust and site manager, Bovis on the investigation.

Serious offences

Det Insp Terry Crompton said: "It is by sheer luck no-one has been injured, although part of the site has suffered damage as a result of one of the fires.

"We are treating this as arson with intent to endanger life, a very serious offence which carries a lengthy prison sentence.

"If anyone has any information about the person or people responsible please don't hesitate to get in touch."

The new £500m complex of hospitals will include the biggest integrated children's hospital outside the United States.

More than one million patients will be treated on the site, which will also incorporate Booth Hall Children's Hospital and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.

The site's current hospitals, including St Mary's, Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Eye Hospital, will continue to operate with improved facilities.