A REPORT by fire fighters has detailed how a former youth centre has become a hot sport for arson in the past year - with crews called to the site seven times in one month.

The Arc Centre in Canterbury shut in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, and its future is likely to be decided shortly.

Last month Bradford Council revealed it had sought permission to demolish the building, saying it has become a target for anti social behaviour. But the Council said the demolition would be a last resort - and the preferred option would be for a community group to take the facility on through a community asset transfer.

The Authority -- which owns and operated the building, said it had become "blighted by vandalism."

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Fire Authority's Community Safety Committee on Friday, members will hear how the site has also become a headache for the fire service since it shut.

A report on fire incidents in Bradford details some of the arson incidents that crews were called to last year.

This included multiple call outs to the Arc Centre, on Arum Street, after fires were deliberately started next to the building or on the grass space around it.

It says the centre has been "targeted by youths" since it was shut, and work has been ongoing with the fire service, Council and other services to work out how to secure the site.

Children's centre 'blighted by vandalism' could be demolished or transferred to community group

An update from the fire service in late November said: "Incidents have increased, seven attendances within the last month.

"Contact has been made with the Ward officer to offer our partnership assistance in making the site safe and to share our increased concern."

Concerns were escalated late last year, and talks have taken place to secure the site in an attempt to prevent future arson incidents.

In December the Telegraph & Argus visited the site to take photos for a story about the Council's demolition application.

When we arrived there was an out of control waste fire burning in front of the building.

Sections of the outside of the centre appeared to have been charred by fire.

The playground at Wibsey Park has also been flagged up as a cause for concern for Bradford fire crews following a number of small fires in the area on November.

The fire service asked police to increase patrols in the park as a result of these incidents.