Good Afternoon,

On the evening of Saturday 12th April 2025, we received reports of a fire being deliberately ignited on the moors between Stones Bank Road and Longworth Road. Officers responded to the area and located 3 separate fires burning on this moorland area. A total of 8 fire appliances from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were required to extinguish these fires, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council and United Utilities. 

We believe that these fires were deliberately ignited by 3 young males, who made off from the area on foot towards Longworth Road.  Two of these males were described as being dressed in all black with the balaclavas, and the third was described as being in a turquoise top and having an Afro-style hair cut. These males are all described as being in their early teens.

The photographs attached show the extent of the damage that has been caused to the area of moorland that has been ignited. It is of great concern that this incident has taken place in April, and we have not yet reached the height of summer where the moors above Darwen will be very dry. As residents of Darwen will be aware, there have previously been significant fires on these moors and we do not want to see a repeat of this.

In August 2023, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force. This prevents any person, without prior authorisation, from lighting Fires, Barbecues, Fireworks or Chinese Lanterns and from using any article/object which causes a naked flame and poses a risk of fire.  This PSPO also requires people to surrender anything in their possession which an authorised officer reasonably believes to have been used, or is likely to be used, in conjunction with any of the prohibited activities. Full details of this PSPO can be found on the Blackburn with Darwen Council website. This PSPO will be being enforced, and action will be taken against those that breach it.

Finally, given the age of the offenders involved in this incident, we are appealing to parents. Do you know where you children are? If this behaviour continues, and offenders are identified, prosecutions will take place. We will not tolerate this behaviour.

If you have any information relating to this incident, please contact Lancashire Constabulary on 101 or Online and quote log reference LC-20250412-1047.

Thank you,

Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team