Family left distraught after arsonists destroy children's garden

A family have been left distraught after arsonists set fire to their garden, destroying a children's trampoline.

The attack, which happened at the family's home on Goldcraft Close, Heywood, is being treated as arson and the police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

It happened at about 5.30am on 22 March 2015.

The family, which includes two children, were awoken by a popping sound and saw that the shed was on fire.

Firefighters were called who extinguished the blaze, but not before it had spread and caused extensive damage to the garden, shed, fence panels, trampoline and spread to the guttering of a pub which is across the ginnel.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

Detective Constable Heidi Edge said: "This family have lived at this house for many years and have had no problems, so the motive for this needless and wanton attack is totally unknown.

"At this stage we don't know why anyone would have started a deliberate fire in this family's back garden but what is for certain is that the fire spread quickly and thankfully it did not spread to the house itself, as the family and their two children were inside and potentially their lives could have been put at risk.

"Although they were not injured, they are now having to deal with the aftermath of their belongings being destroyed and are naturally very upset.

"We therefore need to establish who is responsible for this senseless attack. I would appeal to anyone in the local community who saw someone hanging around this area to come forward.

"Alternatively, if you are a parent or guardian and your child recently came home and their clothes smelt of smoke, then please do the right thing and call us as this fire could have had even more serious consequences and we need to educate people about the dangers of deliberate fires."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.