EXTRA police patrols are to be mounted on the Eston Hills over the Easter holidays.
Arson attacks, vandalism and cruelty to farm animals are a sad holiday tradition in the hills above Middlesbrough.
Sergeant Dave Sutherland, of Cleveland Police, said last night: "Arson is a particular problem when the hills and moorland are dry. Reckless individuals frequently put both themselves and others in danger by starting fires that can quickly burn out of control, destroying areas of unspoilt moorland.
"Residents have every right to enjoy the extensive areas of natural beauty in the district and it is important that those people, who seek to destroy this, realise that their actions will not be tolerated."
He said the police would be working with Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Redcar and Cleveland Countryside Wardens, carrying out extra patrols "to ensure the local heritage is not destroyed"
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