A GROUP of teenagers who are suspected to have set a fire ran away when police arrived at the scene.

Officers were on patrol in Briercliffe on Saturday when they came across the fire, which had been started on a field at the bottom of Queen Street.

However when officers arrived a group of youths who were at the scene fled the area.

An investigation to identify them from footage captured by the officers is now underway.

A spokesman said: “We have captured some of them on bodycam and will be speaking to local schools to identify those involved.

“The youths have tried to make a fire break but unfortunately they used wooden logs which don’t really work too well at stopping fire.

“It is thought this group is the same group that's responsible for the anti-social behaviour in the area recently.

“The fire service attended and put out the fire and made it safe.

“If you see anymore ASB or large groups causing issues then please on 101 or 999 and get the incident logged.”