Appeal for Information Following Deliberate Hay Bale Fire in South Milford

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information following a fire involving several hay bales in fields close to Milford Road, South Milford, during the early evening of Friday 31st July 2026.

Following information obtained during enquiries and an assessment of the scene, it is the professional opinion of investigating officers that the fire was started deliberately.

Thankfully, with the swift assistance of the landowners and crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished, preventing further damage and reducing the risk of the fire spreading to surrounding land.

We are now requesting the public's assistance. If you were in the area of Milford Road, South Milford, on the evening of Friday 31st July and witnessed any suspicious activity, saw anyone acting unusually, or have any information which may assist our investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police.

We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, dash-cam, or mobile footage from the area that could help identify those responsible.

Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in incidents of this nature recently. Deliberately setting fire to hay bales not only causes significant financial loss to farmers but also presents a serious risk to life, property, livestock, and the wider countryside, particularly during periods of warm and dry weather.

The public can help prevent these incidents by:

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident reference number 12260147261.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Your information, no matter how small it may seem, could prove vital in helping us identify those responsible and prevent further incidents.