POLICE suspect an serial arsonist could be operating in Wey Hill after the latest in a series of suspicious fires on Tuesday.
The latest blaze was at Cafe 74. A spokesman for Surrey Police said someone had gone into a side alley next to the restaurant, and broken a window. Cardboard boxes were pushed through the window, paper wads set alight and thrown inside.
Haslemere Fire and Rescue was called out to the cafe at 7-12 am and the small fire was extinguished within seven minutes of arriving.
The police spokesman said that this was the latest in a series of incidents in Wey Hill over the last six months.
On February 5, a letter was set alight and put into the post box outside Kelway Law estate agents.
On January 30, inflammable liquid was poured through the letterbox of a flat in Wey Hill, and ignited. Although the first floor flat was unoccupied, damage estimated at £25 was caused.
On December 2, three rubbish containers were set alight. The first at 1 am outside the Co op Funeral Directors; the other two in the Wey Hill car park recycling bins, just after 1 am and 6 am.
"We are treating these incidents very, very seriously," the police spokesman told The Herald. "CID has now become involved."
Shottermill's new community beat officer Pc Louise Baldwin was carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Wey Hill on Wednesday.
Anyone with any information should ask for Pc Baldwin on 01252 716262.