A heath fire which started on the evening of Friday 4 June at Turbary Park Common near to Kinson Road and Canford Avenue is believed to have been started deliberately.

Dorset Police received the report of the incident at 7.13pm. A significant area of land was damaged.

It is reported that two boys aged around 15-years-old were seen running away from the area shortly after the incident. One was described as wearing a cream-coloured top and the other was described as wearing a blue top.

Police Constable Conor Nixon, of Bournemouth police, said: “Thanks to the efforts of the fire service, nobody was injured during the incident and the fire was extinguished before it reached any surrounding residential properties.

“We are treating this fire as a suspected arson and I would urge anyone with information about who is responsible, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210088831. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.