LOOE police are appealing for information and asking the general public to be vigilant after a spate of fires in the town's public toilets which were all started deliberately.

At the town council meeting on Monday, Constable Barry Mills, community liaison officer, said the frequency of the fire attacks was cause for great concern. He had himself kept watch at the gents' toilets by the Guildhall and followed three youngsters into the building who he thought were behaving suspiciously, but there was no evidence to suggest they were involved.

The fire attacks are occurring between 4pm-6.30pm in the early evening, with the toilets on the seafront and at the Guildhall the main targets. There has also been a fire at the West Looe ladies' toilets which are connected to residential accommodation.

Councillor Don Webb said that so far there had been seven incidents of such fires. He also said there had been children playing on the roof of the new seafront shelter on Sunday afternoon causing damage. 'There seems to be a gang of naughty kids hanging around at present' he said. Councillor Dave Peat reported that bin bags had been set alight in Fore Street, probably happening overnight on Sunday.

Councillor Les Young asked the constable if any particular age group was responsible for the incidents, but was told that CCTV footage had shown the troublemakers covering their faces with hoods and hats. 'They are very clever' said PC Mills.

Anyone witnessing such incidents, has information, or thinks something suspicious is happening, should contact Looe police on 0990 777 444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.