AN ARSONIST who has targeted a block of flats 12 times in the last four weeks is being sought by Kent Police.

The fires, which have always been started in a communal bin area underneath Regents Court, Chatham, have now prompted the housing society which manages it, mhs homes, to introduce security patrols at a cost of more than £1,000.

Firefighters from across Medway have been called to the high-rise building a dozen times since Sunday, December 11.

Ashley Hook, mhs homes housing director said: “We are working closely with the police, community wardens and the fire service and are determined to stop the person who is responsible for these attacks.

“There is a controlled door entrance system to prevent strangers getting into the flats and we are paying for security surveillance of the area to help identify those responsible.”

The latest fire happened just after midnight on Friday. A crew of firefighters from Medway were called out to deal with the blaze.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service says the arson attacks are a huge waste of their resources as the service is required to dispatch three fire vehicles to the scene each time a fire is reported.

A spokesman said: “Recent fires at Regents Court are being treated as suspicious.”

“If the investigation reveals the fire to be deliberate, Kent Fire and Rescue Service would regard the matter as a serious threat to the safety of residents.

“The incidents also direct our resources away from other incidents.”

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

A Medway Police spokesman said: “Kent Fire & Rescue Service alerted police to a series of fires in bins, which we are investigating.”

Anyone who has any information about how the fires were started is asked to call Medway Police on 884014 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Calls to Crimestoppers are free and you do not have to give your name.