Haverhill – three further arrests in arson investigation

Three more people have been arrested as part of enquiries into a large fire in Haverhill.

Police were called by the fire service at 8.46pm on Tuesday 12 May to the former Parkway Middle School on Park Road.  

On Wednesday 27 May three more people, a 14-year-old boy and two 15-year-old boys, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning. They were bailed to return to police on 24 August, 25 August and 24 July respectively.     

On 15 May, two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson. They were bailed to return to police on 7 August. This followed the arrests of two 15-year-old boys on suspicion of the same offences on 13 May and 14 May. They were bailed to return to police on 22 June and 14 July respectively.

Any witnesses and those with information are asked to contact Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID quoting crime reference: 37/27212/26, via:

Website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us     

Phone: Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

 

Previous release | 18 May 2026

Two more people have been arrested as part of enquiries into a large fire in Haverhill.

Police were called by the fire service at 8.46pm on Tuesday 12 May to the former Parkway Middle School on Park Road.  

On Friday 15 May, two teenage boys, one aged 14 and one aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. They were both questioned at Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre, before being bailed to return to police on 7 August.

This follows the arrests of a 15-year-old boy on 13 May and a 14-year-old boy on 14 May, both on suspicion of the same offence. Both were bailed to return to police on 22 June and 14 July respectively.

Any witnesses and those with information are asked to contact Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID quoting crime reference 37/27212/26, via:

Website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us     

Phone: Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

 

Previous release | 15 May 2026

A second person has been arrested as part of enquiries into a large fire in Haverhill.

Police were called by the fire service at 8.46pm on Tuesday 12 May to the former Parkway Middle School on Park Road.  

Yesterday, Thursday 14 May, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently bailed to return to police on 14 July.

This follows the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on 13 May, on suspicion of the same offence, who was bailed to return to police on 22 June.

Detective Sergeant Paul Cappleman said: “We believe a number of people may have been involved in this and that locally many people were either present in the area at the time or have knowledge of who may have been responsible. This was an incredibly serious incident and we would like to speak to anyone with information, to ascertain exactly what happened that evening.” 

Any witnesses and those with information are asked to contact Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID quoting crime reference 37/27212/26, via:

Website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us     

Phone: Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

 

Previous release | 14 May 2026

A teenage boy has been arrested as part of investigations into a large fire in Haverhill.

Police were called by the fire service at 8.46pm on Tuesday 12 May to the former Parkway Middle School on Park Road.  

A police cordon remains in place and officers are currently investigating the incident as a suspected arson.

One person, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested yesterday, 13 May, on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently bailed to return to police on 22 June.

Detective Inspector Richard Prouse said: “We are investigating this fire as arson and believe there may have been a number of individuals that were either involved, in the area at the time, or that may have some knowledge of how the fire started and who may be responsible.

“This was an extremely dangerous situation that has led to the destruction of a very large building and a fire that could be seen for miles around.

“The seriousness of this incident is clear, and I’d urge anyone with information or if you believe a friend or a family member may know something but hasn’t shared this with police, to please get in contact.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID quoting crime reference 37/27212/26, via:

Website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us     

Phone: Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999