The Pentagon Centre was evacuated on Monday

A boy as young as ten is thought to have started a fire in a shop in Chatham.

Police have confirmed they are treating the blaze at Wilkinson in Chatham on Monday as arson.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the incident in the Pentagon Shopping Centre at around 5.30pm.

Fire crews and police were called to the store after a fire broke out in the toy department. It is believed to have been started with a lighter.

The shop and the centre were evacuated for around 45 minutes while the blaze was dealt with.

Detectives would like to speak to a young boy aged between 10 and 13 in connection with the incident.

He is described as being white, about 5ft 2ins tall, of a slim build with dark brown collar length hair and glasses.

He was wearing a dark jacket with a grey hood and lime green zip, navy or dark coloured jeans and navy wellington boots.

If anyone has any information contact DC Heather Thompson on 101, quoting reference XY/5442/13.

Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.