Police alert after moorland fires

A blaze in 2003 destroyed four square miles of the moorland

Police have stepped up patrols on the North York Moors after finding evidence of fires being started deliberately near a reservoir popular with campers.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said sites near Osmotherley reservoir were often used by groups of teenagers.

He said officers were concerned the campers were setting off fires which could get out of control.

The force is asking visitors to the moor who see someone starting fires to contact them immediately.

The spokesman said: "With a few more days of half-term left and the weather seemingly picking up officers are concerned a careless or malicious young camper may set off a major fire which could damage property, kill wildlife and maybe even cause human casualties, not least the person who started the blaze."

In September 2003, half of North Yorkshire's firefighters were needed to tackle a blaze that destroyed more than four square miles (6.4 sq km) of moorland on Fylingdales Moor.

It is thought to have been started by a carelessly discarded cigarette.