Businesses in the Spen Valley are being urged to report arson attacks as detectives hunt firebugs responsible for a string of incidents.

Numerous fires have been started deliberately in doorways, wheelie bins and refuse containers at business premises in Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike. Firefighters believe more attacks might have gone unreported.

The most recent incident reported to police involved a blazing bin propped up against a door at Elite Personnel Services, in Westgate, Cleckheaton, in the early hours of Sunday.

Flyers have been posted to businesses in the area to make staff aware.

Mark Hitchcock, Cleckheaton Fire Station manager, called for the support of the business community.

He said: “Arson is a very serious matter and should be reported, no matter how minor it may appear. Our operational crews are working alongside our specialist arson task force, the police and local authority to investigate every instance of arson thoroughly.

“All the information will help us identify trends, recognise patterns and track the movements of culprits so we are able to bring them to justice and make the Spen Valley area a safer place to live and work.

“Deliberate fires also have other far-reaching consequences. They expose our firefighters to unnecessary risks and take resources away from other genuine emergencies, meaning fire crews have to travel from a different station area.”