Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a series of fires involving wheelie bins in Folkestone. The arrests follow an investigation into seven separate fires that occurred over a two-week period, between August 6 and August 19, 2025.
Kent Police were called to multiple locations, including Alder Road, Kingsnorth Gardens, Beech Close, and Shorncliffe Road, where bins had been deliberately set on fire. Fortunately, the fires were extinguished by Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and no injuries were reported.
On Wednesday, August 20, just hours after the final fire was put out, police arrested two 15-year-old boys from Folkestone. They have been released on conditional bail as the investigation continues.
PC Cara Coleman-Mahon of Kent Police emphasized the seriousness of the incidents, stating,
‘Setting fire to bins might seem minor to some, but it’s a reckless act that can quickly escalate and put lives and property at real risk. These arrests show that we take incidents like this seriously, and anyone who endangers our communities through reckless actions will be held accountable.’