15265/1STOP-CHECKS will be introduced on a Trowbridge estate as police try and trap a serial arsonist responsible for up to 12 blazes.

Police plan to stop anyone walking around the Seymour estate in the early hours of the morning, and pleaded for residents to back their latest tactic.

Residents endured a fourth weekend of fires as a jeep, fences and another wheelie bin were destroyed in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Plain-clothed detectives and a team of uniformed officers have been drafted into the inquiry, with extra officers brought in from outside the division to police the estate this weekend.

Arson victim Jason Carter, 32, who was storing a jeep in his Charles Street garden for a friend, said: "I believe someone just walked past and lit the canopy covering the jeep and the fire went down through it," he said.

"My neighbour's fence caught fire, so it caused around £1,000 worth of damage in total. If the gas cylinder on the jeep had gone up it would have blown up a few peoples' gardens and damaged my home.

"I am worried about my kids if there is an arsonist about."

Town councillor Tom James, who lives on Charles Street the scene of several arsons said he believes one person is responsible for all the attacks.

"This has got to be stopped. I believe it is all down to one person. If it were kids they would have been bragging about it by now," he said.

Trowbridge police inspector Glynn Hookings said: "On many occasions those who set fires will stay around to see the results of their actions and we are increasing patrols to try and take advantage of this. Whatever the motivation of the individual or group who is doing all this, it is harming the local community. We want to provide the reassurance by targeting our patrols at key times."

Police and fire brigade officials are urging residents to keep bins and rubbish out of gardens at night until the arsonist is caught.