Police and fire services have teamed up to tackle straw stack fires.

As part of Operation Armitage, Cambs Police is working in with Cambs Fire and Rescue to prevent deliberate straw stack fires and jointly investigate suspected incidents.

The operation, run with Countryside Watch and the National Farmers Union, recognises the impact straw stack fires have on farmers and communities.

Inspector Dick Turner, of the Cambs Police Rural Crime Team, said: “Straw stacks appearing at the end of harvest are the result of 12 months of hard work by farmers and are a valuable commodity.

“We are working very hard with our partners to prevent the serious offence of deliberate straw stack ignition, through education and enforcement.

“There will be operations by officers throughout the season and we will be using CCTV and other covert tactics, to ensure we reduce the opportunity for offending, and put before the courts those caught offending.”

Any suspicious activity seen around straw stacks should be reported by calling police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.