by Hayley Robinson

Two teenage girls arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out in a school PE block have been given a final warning by police.

The 13-year-old and 14-year-old had already been excluded from Sittingbourne Community College following an incident there on July 12. A fire was started in a waste paper bin in the changing room area at the school, in Swanstree Avenue.

The block was not in use at the time and no one was injured.

There was smoke damage to the room and copper piping was destroyed.

Repair work, estimated at £400, was carried out and the area was back in use three days later.

The girls were bailed to Monday last week when they were told police and the Crown Prosecution Service had decided not to charge them.

A final warning means should the girls find themselves in trouble with the police in the future, they could be put before the courts. Kent Youth Offending Service has been made aware of the case and will carry out an assessment of the girls.