BOLTON is an arson attack hotspot, according to new figures.

The town suffers attacks more frequently in comparison to its size than anywhere else in Greater Manchester, the data reveals.

Official Home Office statistics show one deliberate fire is recorded by police for every 1,506 people – a rate higher than Manchester and Wigan despite their larger populations.

In the year to June 2016, police registered 187 incidents of arson in Bolton, the second highest in Greater Manchester and behind only Manchester.

The majority, 144, were fires that did not endanger lives and 43 were considered dangerous.

Lee Coleman, group manager of Bolton and Wigan for the fire service, said the service had a good record tackling arson attacks. He said: “Fires started deliberately do still occur despite partnership work in our communities and at the end of last year we did see a spate of deliberate fires in the Musgrave Gardens area of Bolton.

“All deliberate fires impact on the service we are able to provide, taking resources that could be needed elsewhere, as well as putting both the public and firefighters at risk.

“Starting fires deliberately is a criminal offence and if anyone has information about such fires they should contact the police.

“We would also encourage residents and businesses to do what they can to prevent arson in their community and to report suspicious activity to the police.”

The suspected arson attacks include a flat fire in Beatrice Mews, Horwich,in July 2015. It was treated by police as arson with intent to endanger life.

In September the same year a couple had to escape their home in Twisse Road, Breightmet, after a work’s van and a car parked on the driveway were set alight. The flames spread to the windows of the house.

Then in April 2016 wheelie bins and the wooden compound they were housed in were destroyed when they were deliberately set alight at Downhall Green in Beta Street, Halliwell.

The following month there was a blaze in a flat in Duke Street, Bolton which resulted in neighbours being evacuated.

The Home Office statistics, based on data supplied by Greater Manchester Police, showed the three months between October and December 2015 was the period with the highest number of arsons.