This evening I was in Erith, near the Running Horses Pub when at about 8 pm some idiots thought it would be good sport to start a fire in the bushes. As anyone who knows the area will testify, because of the topography of the town, smoke, odours and smog just hangs in the air and envelopes the place with a choking grip.

Fortunately Erith’s excellent Fire Brigade were on site within about 5 minutes and I saw them put the fire out with skill and efficiency. But the smell and smoke lingered for some time.

So well done brave Fire Fighters and shame on the yobs that like to start fires. Some of the locals that I spoke to agreed that Zero Tolerance was the answer.