PARENTS are being urged to educate their children on the dangers of fire, after a weekend incident which could have resulted in something more serious.

Officers from Crook Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) were on foot patrol through Kitty’s Woods, near Roddymoor, County Durham, on Saturday when they came across a group of youths who had started a fire.

A priority for the NPT is to engage with youths, ensure they are safe and not committing any offences.

A spokesperson from Crook NPT said: “We want to let ‘kids be kids’ and we know that they all need a space to hang out with friends.

“Unfortunately, there are a small few that continue to abuse this area with litter and fires.

“Fire safety is currently a serious issue across the county.”

One of the fires in the woods was set on a slight bank with no definitive outlining pit.

Police were concerned that the logs could have rolled out downhill allowing the fire to spread out of control in dry conditions.

Officers extinguished the fire and cleared it.

A spokesperson added: “We understand how important it is for the youths to see friends, grow friendship groups and just generally hang out - especially after the last year they have had.

“However, we need to address the issues that cause danger to our community and countryside.”

Last month, Crook NPT responded to a number of complaints about groups of youths breaching Covid restrictions and drinking.

On top of this, they also clean up the rubbish that was left all over the woods, from bottles and cans to plastic bags.

Crook NPT will continue to engage with youths while out on patrols, work with the fire service and speak with local schools around delivering fire safety presentations as soon as restrictions are lifted.