UPDATE: |Gang seen setting fire to woodland at Greater Manchester beauty spot News

It follows a string of major fires in recent weeks

Parents are being urged to speak to their children after youths were seen ‘setting fire to woodland’ at a Rochdale beauty spot.

Greater Manchester Police says five youths made off as they arrived at Ogden Reservoir, near Newhey, on Sunday (April 13).

While the incident was resolved quickly, police have fired a warning following a number of major fires around the region in the last month.

A GMP Rochdale spokesperson said: “On Sunday, April 13, we received reports of a group of youths setting fire on the woodland close to Ogden Reservoir in Rochdale.

“Upon attendance by officers and the fire service, five youths made off on bikes. Thankfully, the fires were quickly put out.

“However, officers are hoping to raise awareness given recent high-profile incidents involving moorland fires.

“The health impacts, public service cost, and damage that can arise from such fires can be huge – we are appealing to parents to please discuss these topics with their children.”

The warning comes after a spate of moor fires in Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas over recent weeks, during the prolonged period of dry, sunny weather.

Crews battled blazes on moorland near Haslingden, Glossop and Marsden last Thursday night (April 10).

Firefighters also battled fires near to Woodhead Pass and in Saddleworth on April 1, while Blackstone Edge near Littleborough saw two fires in the space of 36 hours on March 26 and 27.

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