Three boys charged after nursery and rugby club set on fire

The boys, aged 12 to 14, have been charged in connection to the deliberate fires across Kilmarnock.

Three boys charged after nursery and Kilmarnock Rugby Club set on fire — Police confirmed three boys have been arrested. darrensp via iStock

20th Feb 2023

Three boys have been charged after fires were set at a nursery and a rugby club.

One 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-olds have been charged in connection to two wilful fire-raising incidents in Kilmarnock.

The first fire was set to part of a stand at Kilmarnock Rugby Club on the town’s Queens Drive.

The incident occurred around 1.25am on Wednesday, January 25.

Police were called again to a second fire on Friday, February 3, when a gazebo at a nursery in Jeffrey Street was set alight

Inspector Iain Farmer, of Kilmarnock Police Station, said: “Fortunately no one was injured in either incident but this was reckless behaviour where facilities at the heart of our communities were targeted. The outcome could have been much worse but it is bad enough that damage was caused at a cost to these businesses.

“This type of conduct will not be tolerated and we will always work to find those responsible and not let them get away with such dangerous conduct.

“We are working with partners to reduce instances of this kind of behaviour but we also need the support of parents, carers and guardians.

“Given the time that these fires were started, I would urge all to be aware of where their children are, particularly in the middle of the night when they should not be out and about but safe and secure.”