A spate of wheeled bin fires in Carshalton has prompted police to call for vigilance from residents.

More than 12 incidents have been reported to police over the last three weeks, and have mostly been happening after 10pm.

The most recent reports of fires were on the 3 and 5 July. Trees, bushes and hedges in the open space have been set alight.

Bins are being taken from front gardens in Road and Roche Walk and pushed to Road where they are set alight.

Officers have increased their patrols and leafleted the area asking residents to chain their bins to suitable anchor points at their properties and to mark their bins with their road name and property number so owners can be traced more easily if bins are stolen.

Neil Tyre, Inspector for Sutton’s northern ward cluster, said: "Fires can get out of hand very quickly causing danger to life and property."

PCSO Sarah Holland-Baker, of Wandle Valley Safer Neighbourhoods Team, is planning to organise a multi-agency day in August to raise awareness of the fires and to warn of the dangers.

If you see anyone starting a fire call police immediately on 999.

If you have any information about who may be responsible, call Sutton police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.