A FIRE at Alexandra Park, in Bordon’s Deadwater Valley Nature Reserve, is the latest “act of vandalism” in a spate of “mindless” crime.

The fire, on Sunday, is the second blaze in two weeks and now “more than 70 per cent” of the heathland in Alexandra Park has been destroyed.

This week Whitehill Town Council called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.

The fire, which the town council described as “arson”, harmed wildlife.

Slow worms and common lizards were killed and their valuable heather and gorse habitat lost.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue firefighters went to the scene and the incident was reported to the police.

The Deadwater Valley Trust manages the Deadwater Valley Nature Reserve and the Bordon Inclosure on behalf of the town council, and both have been subjected to “mindless acts of vandalism” over the past few weeks, as have other sites managed by the town council itself.

Town clerk Andrea Mann said: “Sadly, these types of incidents are a common occurrence every year, particularly now the lighter evenings are upon us and as the temperatures rise.

“Community spaces are maintained for the benefit of the whole community and these types of incidents take valuable resources to put right.”

Chris Mitchell, chairman of the town council’s amenities committee, said: “With the days lengthening, more and more residents are taking the opportunity to enjoy the facilities owned and managed by Whitehill Town Council.

“Our officers and partners from the Deadwater Valley Trust input time, enthusiasm and energy to maintain these facilities in the best possible condition for the benefit of all.

“Over this weekend vandalism and arson have occurred, causing unnecessary damage.

“I appeal to you to be vigilant and report to the police if you see others misbehaving so that these special green spaces, playground and tracks are preserved and kept safe for all.”

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said firefighters were called out twice on Sunday - once shortly after 5pm to extinguish a bin fire in Mill Chase Road, with the end of that incident logged as 5.18pm.

Then, minutes later, at 5.24pm, the fire service was again called out, this time to Branson Road to deal with heathland fire at Alexandra Park. Firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the blaze, put out by 6.47pm.

On top of the fire, there has been fly-tipping, littering, damage to bus shelters, the illegal cutting down of trees in the Bordon Inclosure and incidents of spray-painted vandalism.

Deadwater Valley Trust ranger Jamie Cummins said the “whole of the southern section” of the heathland at Alexandra Park “has gone”.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.