Arson attacks at Springfield Park, Box Hill North

A SPATE of arson attacks at a Box Hill North park has spurred the local council to take immediate action to improve the area’s security.

One fire burnt through the park’s fence and a neighbour’s fence.

A SERIES of arson attacks at Springfield Park has led to Whitehorse Council taking immediate action to improve the area’s security.

Police have recorded 10 small fires at the Box Hill North park and surrounding roads between July 22 and September 8.

Acting Sergeant Lyndahl Adonis said police believed the cause of the fires was suspicious and they were linked.

Officers were called to one fire about 5am on August 30 which had burnt shrubs and trees near the carpark, as well as the park’s fence and the fence of a neighbouring property.

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Police were alerted to three fires during the day on Saturday, September 8.

Councillor Blair Barker said neighbours of the park contacted him about the three fires, which occurred in broad daylight when a cricket team was training at the grounds.

One fire burnt through the park’s fence and a neighbour’s fence.

“That’s how brazen it was,” he said.

Cr Barker pushed for urgent safety measures at the park at the council’s meeting on Monday, September 10.

“It’s got to a point where we just can’t wait,” he said.

“We’ve got this arsonist attacking our community.

“I’m worried someone’s house is going to get burnt down.”

Multiple houses are located close to the park’s edge where some of the fires have occurred.

A fire on August 30 damaged public and private property.

Cr Barker said he was also concerned for the safety of the more than 1000 people who use the park each week and the condition of the pavilion, in which the council had invested $8 million.

He was at the grounds one day when a fire was lit at the entrance to the carpark.

He said he was aware of another fire being extinguished at the roundabout outside the park on the corner of Dorking and Springfield roads.

“The fire brigade have been attending extensively,” he said.

The council decided to apply for a federal grant to obtain safety measures including mobile CCTV and to up safety measures at the park in the interim.

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The investigation remains ongoing and police are working closely with the council and fire brigade.

Anyone with information on the fires should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.