Wednesfield arson attacks: Who's behind this trail of destruction?

Schools, offices and garages across Wednesfield have been targeted over the last few weeks with detectives linking some of the blazes.

Now a former mayor has described the repeated attacks as concerning and scary and is calling for more CCTV in the area.

All of the blazes have been along or near the main A4124 Wednesfield Road. The latest was on Sunday night when Kenyons garage went up in flames.

It was the second time in a week that the site near New Cross Hospital was targeted. Officers are linking these two blazes.

There have also been arson attacks at St Alban's Primary School and the Charter Care offices. West Midlands Police also believe these two attacks are linked, but at this stage have ruled out a connection to the Kenyons fires.

Wednesfield High School went up in flames in September in yet another arson attack.

On Sunday, flames ripped through the front of Kenyons on Wolverhampton Road with more than 30 firefighters tackling the blaze. The nearby Cineworld cinema complex on Bentley Bridge was evacuated from 8pm to 10pm, as was the Nickelodeon pub.

Visitors to New Cross Hospital were also diverted away from its main entrance.

There was a 200-metre cordon to ensure public safety after gas canisters were confirmed to be stored inside the garage.

Detective Constable Andrew Higgins, of the Wolverhampton investigation team, is leading the inquiry. He said that on March 8 arsonists tried to set fire to the garage, but it failed to ignite.

"We are working with the fire service to determine the cause of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately, and to identify those responsible," he said.

"Significant damage has been caused to the business premises and the fire also led to major disruption to the bars, restaurants, cinema and other entertainment venues at Bentley Bridge.

"We urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible to assist our investigation." St Alban's Primary School, Ashmore Park, was targeted on February 5. Its main hall was badly damaged and the school was closed for weeks while repairs were carried out. It is believed the blaze started after vandals accessed the flat roof and set fire to a disused water tank. On February 8, the office of Charter Care, which provides care for 200 people across Wolverhampton and had records for people in Walsall, was left in ruins after a linked blaze. The site is in Linthouse Lane.

The former Wednesfield High School was completely destroyed in another suspected arson attack on September 21, 2014. Smoke from the blaze could be seen three miles away.

Wednesfield councillor and former mayor Milkinder Jaspal says businesses in the area are deeply concerned. He is calling for more CCTV to be installed in Wednesfield and for extra police patrols.

"It's very concerning and a bit scary. Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of vandalism in Wednesfield. It's very alarming that there's been another incident. I would certainly encourage the use of more CCTV cameras. You can't have a police officer on every street corner.

"It's very unusual and there has got to be a link somewhere. They're targeting big organisations and companies and you have to wonder what's next.

"I've spoken to staff at corner shops and they are getting nervous. We need increased patrols in the short term and then CCTV in the long term," he said.