Deer Park playground fires: Police search for arsonists

Brimbank police are investigating a number of deliberately lit fires at a Deer Park playground.

Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Reinke, of the Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit, said about a dozen fires had been started at the Isabella Williams Memorial Reserve on Opie Road since the start of June last year.

Detective Senior Sergeant Reinke said the fires appeared to have been deliberately lit, between 1am and 5am, around the children’s playground area.

He said groups of youths had been spotted in the area and he called on residents to report suspicious activities to police.

“There has been no significant damage caused as a result of the fires, but we’re concerned with this type of behaviour and the potential consequences,” Senior Sergeant Reinke said.

“Police and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade are working co-operatively with Brimbank council to reduce fuel levels in the reserve in order to minimise risk to local residents.

“All agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and Brimbank CIU is investigating.”

It’s not the first time the Isabella Williams Memorial Reserve has been vandalised.

In 2013, the park was one of five across Brimbank to have playground equipment stolen or damaged.

Anyone with information about the fires can call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.