SUSPECTED ARSON AT WATFORD CHURCH

Flames that engulfed a church in the town earlier this month have been blamed on arsonists. A ferocious fire badly damaged Derby Road Baptist Church on Saturday, February 1 and police are now looking for witnesses to the incident. Police were called by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service at 11am to the site on the ring road and it is believed the fire, which caused substantial damage inside the church, was started at any time between 7am and 9am. Detective Inspector Matt Phillips confirmed the police suspect the fire was started deliberately. He said: “Detectives are working closely at the scene with specialist investigators from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our initial enquiries lead us to believe this was started deliberately, however whilst the exact motivation is unclear, we do not believe this was religiously aggravated. “We are keen to identify the person responsible and I would like to ask for the public’s help in our investigation. “The church is situated on the busy ring road in Watford and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity at the church this morning to call police as soon as possible.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Herts Police non-emergency number 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.