Key Points
- Residents in Leigh are being urged to remain vigilant after reports of young people deliberately setting fires in several areas of the town.
- Leigh West councillor Dane Anderton issued the warning after information shared by Greater Manchester Police about incidents near Fosters Playing Fields, AB World Foods and Westleigh Park.
- Counc Anderton said the behaviour is dangerous, can put lives at risk and may damage property.
- He also said fire-setting can take firefighters and police away from genuine emergencies.
- According to Counc Anderton, GMP enquiries are ongoing, a number of names have already been identified, and officers will speak with parents and carers where appropriate.
- Families are being encouraged to talk to young people about the dangers and consequences of setting fires, trespassing and other anti-social behaviour.
- Residents are being told to report suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to police on 101 or online, and to call 999 in an emergency.
Manchester Fire (Manchester Mirror) July 2026 – Residents in Leigh have been asked to stay alert after reports that young people have been deliberately starting fires in several parts of the town. The warning was issued publicly by Leigh West councillor Dane Anderton after information was shared by Greater uk/police/">Manchester Police.
As reported by the Leigh Journal, the incidents are linked to areas including Fosters Playing Fields, AB World Foods on Kiribati Way and Westleigh Park. Counc Anderton said the police concerns were serious because the behaviour can quickly escalate from what may appear to be minor mischief into a major emergency.
Which locations are involved?
The report names three locations where the fire-setting concerns have been raised: Fosters Playing Fields, AB World Foods and Westleigh Park. The AB World Foods site on Kiribati Way is also known locally as Patak’s.
Those locations matter because they include public open space and a business site, meaning the risk is not limited to one type of place. That is why the message from local leaders has been aimed at both residents and families across the wider Leigh area.
What did the councillor say?
Counc Anderton said the situation was “incredibly dangerous” and warned that what might seem “a bit of fun” can “quickly get out of control”, putting lives at risk, damaging property and diverting emergency services from real incidents.
He also said GMP had advised that a number of names had already been identified and that officers would speak with parents and carers where appropriate. The councillor urged adults to have a conversation with children about the risks of fire-setting, trespassing and other anti-social behaviour before something more serious happens.
What is police advice?
According to the report, Greater Manchester Police wants anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity to report it via 101 or online. In an emergency, residents should always call 999.
The police response suggests the matter is being treated as an active enquiry rather than a one-off warning. That also explains why residents are being asked to help by keeping watch and passing on information quickly.
Why does this matter now?
The warning has come during the school summer holidays, when councillors and police say children and teenagers can have more free time and less supervision. Counc Anderton specifically linked the timing to the need for parents and carers to speak with young people about the consequences of risky behaviour.
That seasonal context is important because it means authorities are trying to prevent repeat incidents before they escalate. The public message is focused on deterrence, awareness and early intervention rather than waiting for a more serious fire or injury to occur.
Background of the development
Leigh has seen serious fire-related incidents before, including the February 2026 blaze on Ellesmere Street, where firefighters attended a large fire at an abandoned building and roads were closed while crews worked. Separately, there have also been other fire investigations in the town over recent years, showing why local officials react strongly to any suggestion of deliberate fire-setting.
The current warning, however, is specifically about reports of young people deliberately setting fires in several locations. That distinction matters because it shifts the focus from a single fire scene to a wider anti-social behaviour concern that involves prevention, policing and community responsibility.
Prediction: how could this affect residents?
For residents, the most immediate effect is likely to be greater caution around parks, playing fields and other open spaces, especially where groups of young people gather. It may also mean more reporting to police, more conversations between parents and children and potentially more patrols or follow-up action if further incidents are reported.
For families in Leigh, the warning could prompt closer supervision during the holidays and more discussion about the risks of trespassing and fire-setting. If the reported behaviour continues, it may also put extra pressure on schools, community groups and police to work together on prevention.
