A MAN is worried that youths will set fire to his home after a fire was set in an alleyway next to his fence.

John Lloyd claims youngsters were responsible for setting fire to a heap of rubbish in an alleyway off Hollymount, Worcester.

The blaze scorched a garden fence, although firefighters put out the flames, managing to prevent further damage.

Mr Lloyd said: “The alleyway between Hollymount and Rose Avenue is now being used as a youth club.

“This weekend they set fire to a load of rubbish and there was a loud explosion which I think was an aerosol can.

“Four kids ran up the alleyway laughing after the loud bang. My concern is they will set fire to someone’s fence rather than the rubbish.

“I want the council to come and take away all the rubbish that’s down there and put one of those concrete fences up... so they have nowhere to sit and gather.”

Mr Lloyd said the fire took place at roughly 7.15pm on May 11.

West Mercia Police has made an application to the council to remove all of the fallen trees and logs in the alleyway and to clean the area up.

Police officers have linked the fire with a spate of recent anti-social behaviour incidents in Tolladine, including a fire in Worcester’s Rose Avenue on May 7.

PC Allan Figueiredo, of Gorse Hill and Rainbow Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We are aware of the fire that was caused in the alleyway between Hollymount and Rose Avenue.

“We are in the process of gathering the evidence.

“We have also submitted a request to Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to assist us in dealing with the youths who have been identified as being responsible in order to educate them in relation to setting fires.”

Anyone with information about the Hollymount fire can ring police on 101, quoting incident number 748s of May 11, while those who saw the Rose Avenue blaze can quote 501s of May 7.