Children aged as young as six have been identified following a spate of fires in Smithills.

Greater Manchester Police published an appeal on Saturday, August 10, after fires were ‘deliberately started on numerous occasions in the Smithills area’.

The force said fires were started in areas including Moss Bank Park, Doffcocker Lodge, and Captains Clough.

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Those thought to be responsible had been described as ‘white males’ between the ages of 10 and 13 years old.

Now, GMP says 11 children have been identified – with the youngest aged just six years old, and the oldest aged 15.

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Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton division said: “We have visited the addresses of all those involved with their parents present.

“We are currently working with Bolton Council, The Bolton Anti-Social Behaviour team, housing providers, and various other agencies.

“Be in no doubt that those responsible are now being dealt with robustly by the local Neighbourhood Policing teams.

“This was a case where local knowledge and good “old-fashioned” policing worked.

“We ask again, that for the remainder of the school holidays to check in with your children to see where they are going, and who they are hanging around with.

“We would like to thank all those who helped during the appeal to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.