The lead detective investigating a series of suspected arson attacks against sports club across Reigate and Banstead has said they are are like nothing he's ever seen in his years on the police.
But DCI Antony Archibald has moved to reassure sports club members and local residents that the force is putting a significant amount of resources into the on-going investigation.
A number of sports clubs have been targeted in a series of suspected arson attacks in the last month.
The first attack happened on June 22 at the Horley Lawn Tennis Club in Vicarage Road with the last fire occurring at Horley's Oakwood Sports Centre in Balcombe Road on Sunday evening.
Other fires have broken out at the Churchfields Bowls Club in Church Walk, Reigate on June 26 and the Old Reigatians Rugby club, which was attacked twice in week.
Police have confirmed they are also treating two other fires, one at a hairdressers in Victoria Road in Horley on the same day as the Tennis Club fire, and the other at an unoccupied house in Massetts Road, Horley a few days later as suspicious.
At a public meeting earlier tonight, DCI Archibald said: "Arson is a very rare crime and of this scale, I've been in the police 28 years, and I've not had anything like this on this scale."
He added: "A significant number of officers have been assigned to this investigation, it's taking people away from their day jobs across the force."
Increased patrols have taken place in the areas that have been targeted so far and some clubs have gone so far as to hire security staff to stand watch - although police have advised against club members staying or sleeping in premises over night.
A 43-year-old man from Epsom was arrested on July 5 in connection with the fires, and was released on bail until August 21.
A £2,000 reward is still on offer from Crimestoppers for any information passed to them which leads to the conviction of an offender.
The appeal for information has also been sent nationwide when it featured on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow at the start of the month.
Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting the reference number P14210504 or report it online using Surrey Police's online reporting system at http://www.surrey.police.uk/.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
