Police Appeal for Witnesses Following Suspected Arson at Romsey Nature Reserve

Date: 30 June, 2025

Police are appealing for witnesses following a suspected arson incident at Abbotswood Nature Reserve in Romsey yesterday evening.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 5:15pm on Sunday, 29 June, after reports of two fires breaking out within the reserve. Crews from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly and were able to extinguish both fires. No injuries have been reported.

Hampshire Constabulary has launched an investigation into the incident and is treating the fires as suspected arson. Officers have been carrying out enquiries and believe a small group of children were in the area at the time the fires were started.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police are urging members of the public who may have been in the area to come forward.

Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour or activity in or around the Abbotswood Nature Reserve around the time of the incident. Information from the public could be vital in helping identify those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 44250287511. Alternatively, details can be submitted online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.