YOUNG arsonists have been reprimanded after setting fire to a field in Colchester.

Three boys, still in school uniform, decided to set fire to bushes and piles of grass on the Middlewick Ranges, a favoured spot for juvenile crime.

Firefighters from Colchester were called, at about 4.30pm on Monday and spent an hour extinguishing the flames.

With the help of other local youngsters and residents the police managed to catch the culprits.

However because they were under the age of ten they are below the limit for criminal responsibility.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called at 4.30pm after bushes were set alight.

“Three boys from the Old Heath area were identified as responsible for starting the fires and were spoken to in the presence of their parents.”

However the parents may not get off so easily.

Mary Blandon, councillor responsible for the area, said people living in council properties are responsible for those living with them so they could be reprimanded and warned about future conduct or risk losing their home.

She said: “I am absolutely amazed at this. I asked for the grass to be cut but they did not rake it up.

“I hope it was just children being mischievous but the parents should be aware of what they are doing and the families need to be told of the danger and consequences of their actions.”