POLICE are hunting for witnesses to turn in the arsonists who set fire to a £4,000 portable toilet only yards away from a York infants school.

The incident happened some time between 12.15pm last Friday and 1.30pm on Monday on a building site in Smeaton Grove, in Acomb, close to Carr Infant School.

Officers said yobs deliberately site fire to the portable toilet at the site.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said the toilet had been on loan to the council from a contractor and was estimated to be worth about £4,000.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police described the vandalism as an “irresponsible act”.

“Although people may think this a harmless prank, this incident of arson is a pointless crime which has caused an inconvenience to workers at the site,” a spokesman said.

“We would encourage anyone who knows anything about it to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

The council spokeswoman said: “This appears to be an irresponsible act of vandalism to property which was on loan to the City of York Council.

“We would appeal for anyone with any information to contact North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.”

Anyone who witnessed the fire, or anyone with any information, should phone the police urgently on 0845 60 60 247.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be phoned anonymously on 0800 555 111.