Homeowners in a Sheffield community say they are shocked and cross after what are believed to be a series of arson attacks in the area.

The three latest incidents in the Beighton and Sothall communities have seen fires spread from bins and a caravan to nearby cars and properties.

One neighbour who did not wish to be named said: “We are very worried. We all started making sure our bins were hidden behind locked gates.”

The three incidents have caused tens of thousands of pounds in damage and have also raised concerns among community leaders.

Clive Betts MP said: “South Yorkshire Police will be deploying additional patrols in the area in addition to the criminal investigation they are conducting.”

Police are investigating the three fires in the Beighton and Sothall area, which they believe are linked, along with several other incidents.

At 3.52am, on Sunday 23 February, police responded to reports of a fire in Tynker Avenue where the front of a house had been damaged.

Another fire, which is thought to have started in a caravan, spread to a property in Bramshill Close at 5.47am later that morning.

And at 5.47am, on Tuesday 25 February, a blaze spread from a wheelie bin to Land Rover Defender and a Porsche Taycan in Meadow Gate Avenue.

Neighbour to the Meadow Gate Avenue attack, Tony Piggott, 63, said: “We heard a bang. The red smoke and flames were really quite intense.”

In all cases the fires caused severe damage but there were no injuries reported.

A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life. He has been since bailed.