A SCHOOL bus, wheelie bins and telegraph poles have been set on fire.

Two men from Winsford, aged 30 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of arson.

It follows a spate of ‘deliberate’ fires around the town last night.

However, police say these incidents are not connected to the far-right riots which have been taking place elsewhere in the country.

Detective Sergeant Thomas Philpotts said: “I would like to reassure members of the community that these incidents are believed to be isolated and unrelated to the ongoing disorder across the country.

“As a result of the work of quick-thinking local officers, we have been able to identify two suspects in relation to the incidents and they are currently being held in custody.

“Their behaviour was not only extremely dangerous and completely unacceptable, but it will also cost taxpayers a considerable sum of money with damage repairs.

“Thankfully, no-one was injured as a result of these fires, but these men showed no regard for the safety of the local community or the owners of the property they set aflame.”

A Cheshire West and Chester Council-owned bus was set on fireA Cheshire West and Chester Council-owned bus was set on fire (Image: Supplied)

The first incident occurred at around 5.17pm on Sunday (August 4), when police became aware that two men had set a fire on High Street, Winsford, causing a nearby telegraph pole to catch light.

Then, at around 9.43pm, officers assisted Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service following reports that a school bus had been set aflame near the Lifestyle Centre.

Then at 10.21pm, while officers were carrying out enquiries in relation to were made aware that a number of wheelie bins and telegraph poles had been set on fire on Leyland Walk, Glebe Green, and Ford Road.

A further small fire was reported at 12.27am in the area of Mount Pleasant Drive.

Officers were then called to reports of criminal damage at an address on St Chads Field and two men were arrested on suspicion of arson.

Police have asked anyone with information to come forwardPolice have asked anyone with information to come forward (Image: Philip Carden)

DS Philpotts added: “We are treating these incidents incredibly seriously and enquiries are ongoing.

“As part of our investigation, we want to speak to anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious.

“The same goes for anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage which may aid the investigation.”